Dwane Peters - private sector employee: ‘I don’t think that it is fair that teachers strike now. It is nonsense. If they wanted to strike they should have waited until after the examinations’ period. Right now a lot of students are at home with nothing to do and they can get themselves into trouble. The part-time teachers is a good idea if the regular teachers are on strike; it is better than no teachers at all. The students have to write exams because they can’t get jobs without having subjects. The SSEE children should be given more attention because they are young and may not be able to cope with studying by themselves like the older students.’

Jermaine Campbell - mason: ‘I think that the strike was a stand that teachers had to take, but it was still a selfish thing to do when it is so close to exam time. The government should address the issue. As it relates to the issue of part-time teachers, it is a drastic measure to address the situation but it’s about the only thing that could be done. [A teacher]... would perform better at a full-time job as opposed to a part-time one. Some parents may be able to help the student at home while others have to depend solely on the teachers. It is frustrating for those parents without any help at all. There should be an early solution to this matter, dragging it on does not make any sense.’

Suraj - architect, social/cultural worker: ‘Authorities responsible for deciding on the teachers’ pay must realise that if you are to build a nation, it must be done on a foundation of education. If they take care of our teachers, it will serve the country well. Teaching is not an ordinary profession. It is one that you have to love. Some teachers have been saying that they are not satisfied with the money received, yet they remain in the job for 20 years.’

Aroon Gangadin - student: ‘I think that by striking the teachers are doing a bad thing. Right now, CXC is coming up and students need to do their work. Teachers should be there to help them with SBAs (School-Based Assessments) and in areas where students might be weak. At least the teachers get paid every month and I believe the government will increase their pay at some stage. Part-time teachers may not be as effective as the regular teachers as some students can’t interact with a strange teacher. Once a student can work with the substitute teacher then that idea can work.’

Ingrid McGregor - concerned citizen: ‘I think they should get their money. Teachers are hard-working people. My daughter is sitting CXC and I will be glad if they can get their money to pay house rent and bills. I give my daughter lessons. I have a shop next to the South Ruimveldt Primary School and if teachers and students don’t come out, I can’t make a living. The government has to come up with a solution and that solution is not part-time teaching. I see the problem being prolonged if the money needed by the teachers is not paid.’

Nerisa Aneika Adams - fashion designer and model: ‘Children are suffering, but teachers need to be paid as their children are also affected. If they don’t take action nobody will listen to them. While on strike, teachers could volunteer their services to ensure that students are prepared for exams. The strike is understandable, but children need their education. I don’t think that the part-time teacher idea is a good one because students are accustomed to one method. Some teachers love teaching, but they can’t do it out of love only.’

Ravindra Hardyal - student: ‘I am enjoying the strike because tests that I had to prepare for had to be cancelled. However, the teacher usually gives a lot of homework and SBAs which we are tested on later through quizzes. Some of the teachers still teach at our school. I however feel that we would have been better off without the strike. I don’t think that part-time teachers would be the right thing to do.’

Shaundel Clarke - business accountant: ‘I think they should strike because the government is underpaying them. I support the strike 100 per cent. I think the teachers should give children lots of homework to keep them occupied. I do not think that providing part-time teachers is the answer; they should pay the teachers what they ask for.’

Stay Frank - security guard: ‘It is right for the teachers to strike because the money cannot pay. I think the Ministry of Education is at fault because they put in for this money before. The teachers should hold out for what they need. It’s rough on the children, but parents have to understand that teachers need money. I don’t think that bringing in part-time teachers would work because she/he would not know at which stage the students are and that can become confusing now that exams are around the corner. The strike poses a setback for the children because without education, you are nowhere.’