Auditor General receives request to probe GTU’s finances

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma has received a request for an investigation into the finances of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), which has not been audited in years.

Sharma confirmed that a letter dated August 23, 2018, and signed by a “concerned teacher” was sent to his office but he has been unable to peruse its contents.

In the letter seen by the News Room, the anonymous author said it is worrying that the GTU President Mark Lyte is reported to have said the Union’s dues cannot support strike relief payments.

Lyte was quoted as saying that in an article published in the Guyana Chronicle seven days ago.

However, at a press conference on Tuesday, the GTU President says the Union is prepared to compensate teachers as much as 50% of their salaries.

In the letter to the Auditor General, the teacher contended that “it is necessary that your office intervenes to review the financial practices of the GTU…”

The letter was copied to the Minister of Education, the Commissioner of Police, the Chief Labour Officer, the Teaching Services Commission and the GTU.

News Room has reached out to the GTU President for a comment but up to press time, no response was forthcoming.

The Auditor General told News Room that based on the contents of the letter, he will determine whether it warrants an investigation.