In one instance as reported to the Ministry of Education, the Headmistress of the Campbellville Secondary School in Georgetown, in a signed and stamped memorandum, instructed the security personnel to "...keep the gate closed to anyone that tries to come in", it said.

The memorandum dated March 25th stated, "Following a meeting of students and teachers it was decided that the activities at school will cease until further notice from the GTU. As a result, no formal classes will be held at the school as from Wednesday 26th March, 2003."

The memorandum, which referred to the stated instructions as new developments as a result of GTU strike action, was signed and stamped with the school's official stamp. There were signatures from security personnel as having seen the memorandum, GINA said.

The Guyana Teachers Union on Tuesday indicated that from that day the industrial action will be intensified and teachers were called upon not to report to work from then until instructed by the union.

However, the Ministry of Education while respecting the rights of the teachers to strike, has put alternative arrangements in place to ensure that the welfare of the nation's children is looked after, the agency said.

...puts contingency measures in place
IN RESPONSE to the indefinite industrial action called by the Guyana Teachers' Union from Tuesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Hydar Ally, has sent a memorandum to all Regional Education Officers and Assistant Chief Education Officers (Georgetown) (REO/ACEO (G)) with instructions aimed at minimising the loss of teaching time, especially in view of impending examinations.

The substance of the memorandum outlines the following:

** That all Headteachers submit a plan of action as per circular #3/2003 issued by the Chief Education Officer.

** That REO/ACEO (G) uplift keys from those Headteachers who responded to the strike action and that Heads ensure that entry points to the school are opened during school hours.

** That REO/ACEO (G) ensure that all schools are open and where necessary, keys are lodged at the Education Department or at the nearest Police Station until such time that there is restoration to normalcy.

** Where necessary, Education Departments are to ensure that part-time teachers are employed to make up for loss of teaching time as a consequence of industrial action.

** Where possible, shift systems should be put in place with schools that are unaffected by strike action. Teachers will be compensated appropriately.

** The assistance of PTAs should be sought to engage the services of qualified parents/guardians to teach on a voluntary basis.