Teachers returned to work yesterday temporarily ending nineteen days of industrial action, but most students either stayed away or were kept at home by their parents.
Stabroek News visited some schools around the city and found that while most teachers were in attendance yesterday, following a call by the GTU on Tuesday for them to return to work as the Easter vacation begins, many students were not.
At Queen's College, Richard Ishmael Secondary, St Joseph High School, North Georgetown Primary and Secondary schools, Christ Church Secondary, St John's College and St Roses High School, it was reported that most teachers did turn out to work.
Many of the students Stabroek News surveyed said that no work was done yesterday by their teachers. Classes at most schools were held primarily for those students sitting the SSEE, CXC and GCE examinations. Meanwhile, many students in uniform could be seen roaming the streets or lounging on the lawns of their respective schools.
Speaking with Stabroek News, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Hydar Ally, said the initial reports he received suggested the attendance of teachers was standard. Regarding the poor turnout by students, he said this was not unusual at the end-of-term time, although he added that some parents were still in the withdrawal mode.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the GTU Avril Crawford said at all of the schools she visited within the Georgetown area, the full complement of teachers had turned out for work and had been teaching, while student attendance was about 50%.
Asked about reports that some teachers were not attending to their classes, she said it is expected that teachers who returned to work would teach.
Stabroek News spoke with some parents who chose not to send their children to school. They argued that there was no point sending their children to school since little or no work is done at the end of the term.
The teachers union and the government are deadlocked over pay for 2002. An advisory body empanelled by the Ministry of Labour has taken submissions from both sides and is to compile a report on which basis action to resolve the dispute may be recommended. (Andre Haynes)