Staff Reporter
Government has urged teachers to attend classes, while it finalizes negotiations on salary adjustments and improved conditions of services for its workers.
In a Press Statement yesterday, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said it was pleased to note that majority of schools countrywide opened on the first day of the first term, with majority of school children being able to attend classes.
“Government urges its workers to report faithfully at their workstations to ensure uninterrupted delivery of services to the public. Access to education is the inalienable right of every child. Deliberate interference with that right is a grave affront to the child, as well as to parents and guardians, apart from being an act of misconduct which cannot be tolerated. Consequently, appropriate measures will be taken in line with relevant procedures.
“Government is pleased to note that schools have opened, and that the majority of teachers reported for duty, and that the majority of school children were able to attend classes. In instances where students and pupils were unable to attend, Government awaits definite information on the reasons, so as to respond appropriately. Regrettably, Government has noted that, in a few instances, learners were barred from accessing schools,” reads part of the Statement.
The Ministry highlighted that the Government has been in discussions with its workers in the framework of the National Joint Negotiating Council, and in its continuing sensitivity to the needs of its workers, it is committed to the shared aspiration for the continuous improvement of conditions of service in the entire civil service.
“In that regard, Government is seized with the positive adjustment of conditions for its workers within the current budgetary framework. Those adjustments will be announced soon, when specific details have been finalized by Treasury,” says the Ministry.
Teachers unions have declared a state of incapacitation by its members and are demanding teachers` salaries averaging USD$540.
