Speaking at a press conference in the Celeste Dolphin Studio, Kingston, Georgetown, he charged GTU with "overstepping its mark" but said the Ministry of Education has "exercised restraint in the face of obvious provocation."

"The union has a right to strike in pursuance of its claims but, even in conflict, a sense of balance should be maintained," Jeffrey argued.

He charged that GTU withdrew from a long-standing partnership for the annual schools track and field championships, in a fashion that was "most hurtful to the children."

Jeffrey said the union took the action knowing that children from deep hinterland areas were already travelling and others were in the final stages of preparation.

Now, he said, contrary to its commitment, the union has been less than forthcoming for those children soon to take Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (SSEE) and Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) tests.

Jeffrey said, in view of this GTU stance, it was not surprising that, at a recent meeting in St Stanislaus College, the union President is reported to have told other teachers they should stop looking at students and look to themselves.

Minister Jeffrey said the union official added that, if the students do not write CXC, they would not die and those who do not write SSEE would "sure to hell not die."

Another union executive "even had the temerity to quote Idi Amin to the effect that: `For there to be progress, a few heads must fall'," Jeffrey claimed.

He commented: "These are statements made by those in whose hands we daily place our children and their future."

Acknowledging that most of the national workforce face economic difficulties, Jeffrey said the root of the problem lies in poverty.

Nevertheless, he argued that teachers' salaries have kept pace with those of other public sector workers and, since 1992, increased on average by about 550 per cent while the accumulated inflation rate has been about 95 per cent.

Jeffrey said, for last year, there were increases ranging between five and 15 per cent and his ministry will not allow itself to be held to ransom by "this sectional interest."

"Teachers have no greater call on the national budget than any other groups in society," he contended, saying they, like others, are doing an important job and, within a reasonable context, the ministry will continue to support their cause.

However, given the union's recent behaviour, the ministry needs to respond, the minister said.

As a result, Jeffrey said his ministry is reviewing its agreement to deduct union dues for GTU.

Still, Jeffrey reiterated that the ministry is committed to reasonable discourse, recognising that "an embittered relationship will not be in the best interest of the nation's children."

He said that has, perhaps, led GTU to conclude that the ministry has neither the resolve nor the means of response and the only discourse in which the former is willing to engage is arbitration for 2002 salaries.

Jeffrey retorted: "Our position is that we have paid what we had for 2002 and that it was largely the union's deliberate dilatoriness that prevented us from settling the matter in a mutually acceptable fashion."

He maintained that GTU did not react positively to an invitation from the Labour Ministry to arbitrate and, under the Collective Labour Agreement, there is no obligation to undergo that process.

"We are not, however, opposed to arbitration. As such and we continue to call upon the union to open discourse so that negotiations can conclude early in the year," he offered.

Noting the non-co-operation on the provision of tuition for examination candidates, Jeffrey admitted that such classes have been affected, too.

He said teachers who turn up for work but cannot gain access to closed school buildings should report to their respective Education Departments.

On the issue of house lots allocation, the minister said the applications submitted last September are being processed and about 200 will be allocated for teachers in each region, except Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) where there have been some difficulties in general.

Meanwhile, Education Ministry statistics show that the work stoppage is very effective in some regions but has little effect in others.

Information supplied by the ministry indicates effectiveness in Region One (Barima/Waini) is 75 per cent; Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) 10 per cent; Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) 60 per cent; Region Four 50 per cent; Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) 40 per cent; Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) 20 per cent; Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni 90 per cent and Region Nine (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu) 75 per cent.