Guyana: APNU Critiques New Teacher Promotion System in Guyana

The opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has expressed concerns about the Ministry of Education’s new teacher promotion regime, claiming it does not adequately balance academic qualifications with the value of teaching experience. During a news conference, a parliamentarian from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led APNU stated that the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) was not consulted in the development of this new system, which deviates from the longstanding practice of collaboration between the union and the ministry.

APNU highlighted that the previous promotion system allowed teachers to earn two months of service credit for every year worked, whereas the new system awards only one point for every five years of service, alongside significantly higher points for academic qualifications. For instance, a Bachelor’s degree is now valued at 14 points, while a PhD is worth 18 points. APNU argues that this change means a Bachelor’s degree now equates to over 70 years of classroom experience, and a PhD to more than 90 years.

While APNU acknowledges the importance of encouraging teachers to enhance their academic qualifications, they contend that the new system unfairly diminishes the value of decades of classroom experience, particularly disadvantaging teachers nearing retirement. The group asserts that the new criteria deprive deserving teachers of promotion opportunities, leading to inequity within the education system.

APNU emphasized that the message conveyed by the new system is clear: experience is undervalued. They argue that practical experience is crucial for developing essential skills such as judgment and classroom management, which cannot be taught through textbooks. The opposition also pointed out that teachers approaching retirement are particularly affected, as promotions can significantly impact their gratuity and retirement benefits.

In response to potential suggestions that teachers should pursue further education, APNU noted that this advice may not be practical for those who have dedicated 30 to 35 years to the profession and are nearing the end of their careers.

Source: demerarawaves.com