‘Let’s deal with issues not personalities’ – Teacher wants personal attacks to stop

Bishops’ High School teacher, Shandrina Welcome – Lee called on her fellow teachers to desist from attacking and ‘bad talking’ each other as the strike action called by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) continues.

Miss Welcome – Lee, who appeared on a local television programme, lamented personal attacks levelled against teachers, particularly those who spoke about how they have benefited from measures implemented by the Education Ministry.

According to her, teachers must, at all times, set an example for children to follow and she urged all teachers to desist from any unbecoming behaviour.

“If we have a disagreement, let it be on policy don’t let it be personal and let it come down to the individual level.

“Whoever wants to go out (and protest), that’s your choice. Whoever wants to stay in and teach the children because of their own reason, that’s their choice.

“Let’s deal with issues and not personalities,” Miss Welcome – Lee emphasised.

As she called for teachers to respect each other, the educator also pointed out that Guyana’s learners expect teachers to emulate a certain “standard.” Because of that, she doesn’t believe any teacher should engage in any unbecoming behaviour that sets a bad example for children.

The ongoing strike has been repeatedly dismissed by the government as a political one since the conditions that necessitate such industrial action have not met. In simpler terms, the government argues that it has been engaging the Union and talks have not broken down, so there is no justification for a strike.

Nevertheless, some teachers have gone on strike while others remained in their classrooms.

On social media, there have been numerous posts for and against the strike but as Miss Welcome – Lee referenced, there have been instances where teachers have bashed their colleagues for remaining in their classrooms or for supporting the government’s interventions.