admin

GTU proposes 39.5% salary increase for teachers in 2024 Jul 12, 2024 News A section of the proposed agreement. …wants 100 UG scholarships, $40,000 clothing allowance and 300 duty free concessions Kaieteur News – The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has proposed a 39.5 percent salary increase for teachers in 2024, the proposal submitted to the Government of Guyana states. According to the document, the GTU is also asking for “30% for each indicative year 2025 and 2026 respectively. Teachers from TS4 to TS19 (35%) for 2024, and 30% indicative year 2025 and 2026 respectively.” Furthermore, the Union proposed that should there be a higher percentage given to Public Servants, then the teachers/ teacher educators must get the benefit of the differences. In the very detailed document, titled ‘Proposed Memorandum of Agreement entered between the Ministry of Education and the GTU concerning terms and conditions of employment for teachers/ teacher educators for the years 2024-2026’, the Union is also demanding among other things 100 University of Guyana scholarships per year, a clothing allowance of $40,000 and 300 duty free concessions for motor vehicles up to 2000 cc. Additionally, the GTU is proposing “That Teachers/Teacher Educators who serve in the Interior and Hinterland / Riverain Areas be given two (2) years instead of (5) years to serve their CPCE contracts and in the case of University Graduates, they be given Three (3) points for promotional purposes having served four (4) consecutive years.” Two weeks ago, the GTU called off the strike after being on strike for 75 days. The Union and the Ministry of Education on Friday agreed that the 2019-2023 multi-year proposal put forward by the Union will be shelved and focus will now be placed on the 2024 and onwards multi-year proposal. In a statement, the Ministry of Education said that “the conciliation process initiated by the Ministry of Education to engage the Guyana Teachers’ Union regarding the timeline for which a multi-year agreement should be agreed upon has come to an end.” In the statement, the ministry said that the bilateral talks can now begin on the proposed 2024 multi-year agreement. “The Ministry of  Education will continue to serve teachers in various ways and continues to have the best interest of teachers at heart,” the ministry stated. General Secretary of the Union, Coretta McDonald described the agreement as “a land slide victory for not only the Guyana Teacher’s Union, but, for Trade Unions in general where there were threats of cutting the teacher’s salaries and all kinds of things.” She explained that despite taking industrial action for 75 days and even approaching the court for assistance, the Union has won and the teachers ought to be proud of their efforts. “This is actually a win for the Guyana Teachers’ Union, because you and I know that the entire system across this country was interrupted. The ministry had to scale down on all of its programmes because teachers were not in school and to that end, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our members all across this country, to the parents who have been supporting us and the civil society in general who have been supporting us throughout that ordeal,” the General Secretary stated. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Ministry of Education and the GTU in a brief joint press statement announced the conclusion of their first meeting to negotiate the new 2024-2026 memorandum of agreement while noting that both sides are “satisfied with the outcome”. “The meeting held earlier today, was productive and constructive and both parties are satisfied with the outcome,” the statement said. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 25. Related Similar Articles

Taxi driver busted with $35M worth of ganja Jul 12, 2024 News The seized narcotics. Kaieteur News – A taxi driver was on Wednesday arrested after he was caught with approximately $35M worth of marijuana during an intelligence-led operation in Berbice. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement issued on its Facebook page said that the meticulously executed operation was carried out by ranks from Regional Police Division #6 and Police Headquarters along the No.45 Public Road. Police intercepted a Toyota Spacio bearing registration number HD 732 that was driven by a 33-year-old from Block 19 Line Path, Corriverton, Berbice. During a search of the vehicle, seven ‘salt bags’ were discovered. A total of 53 parcels wrapped in transparent plastic suspected to be cannabis sativa were found. The driver was the lone occupant of the vehicle. He was arrested and taken to the police station. At the police station, the parcels weighed 116, 641 grams (257lbs) amounting to a street value of $34,992,383. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Sheriff Construction, lone Guyanese company bid to build Lethem Hospital Jul 12, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Sheriff Construction Inc. is the lone Guyanese company to submit a bid to design and build the Lethem Hospital in Region Nine. Six bids were submitted and the five other bidders are all Chinese companies. The project which is being executed through the Ministry of Health was recently opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office and it was revealed that the other five bidders are all Chinese companies. The contractors who bid are: China Railway Construction Caribbean Company Limited; Sheriff Construction Inc; Shandong Hi-Speed Dejian Group Inc.; CMEC- Sinopharmintl Construction; Jiangsu Zhongsen Architectural Design Co Ltd; and Zhenjang No.2 Construction Engineering Co Limited. This publication reported that the construction of the hospital falls under a US$97 million – Health Care Network Strengthen – Inter-America Development Bank (IDB) loan. In its tender, the Health Ministry stated that part of the proceeds will be allocated to the construction of the Lethem Hospital, which is envisioned to operate at a level five standard. The IDB loan, secured by the Guyana Government in December 2022, forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the nation’s healthcare network under the Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP). The comprehensive programme aims to bolster the capacity of seven hospitals across various regions, including key hinterland areas and urban centers. It was reported that the loan will be used to improve the health of the Guyanese population through increased access, quality, and efficiency of health services by improving health outcomes associated with low and high complexity procedures. This will be done by expanding the capacity of strategic hospitals, by extending coverage of diagnostic, medical consultation, and patient management services, inclusive of the country’s hinterlands, through digital health; and by increasing the efficiency of the public health system, by strengthening key logistic, management, and support processes and inputs. The project is also expected to target infrastructure improvement and expansion in seven priority hospitals, namely the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital (NARH) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), as well as four District Hospitals located in the hinterland (Moruca, Kamarang, Kato, and Lethem). Related Similar Articles

De Wedding Cash Dash Jul 12, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – Back in de day, every home used to boast a fancy China Set, like a shrine fuh de tableware gods. Dem plates, cups, saucers, mugs, and glasses used to sit pretty, never see a meal in dem lifetime. Just decoration fuh de show-off crew. And when yuh get married, yuh get enough kitchenware fuh open a lil shop—plates, glass sets, cups, mugs. If yuh lucky, yuh father-in-law might even throw in two cows and a sheep fuh dowry. But now, dem days gone. De new generation ain’t want no plates and mugs; dem want flat screens and iPhones. When yuh get invite to wedding now, yuh does get a fancy Gift List with items more expensive than yuh month’s salary. Dem wah nah gat Gift List does tell you dem prefer cash. And yuh best bring it in an envelope because dem young couples dem want hard currency. Dem boys seh at de wedding, dem does got a collection box fuh de cash envelopes. Some weddings even need a security guard to watch de box. Imagine yuh walking in with yuh lil envelope, and de first thing yuh see is a big, burly watchman staring yuh down. At some of these weddings, dem people dropping cheques because dem scared somebody gon tief de cash. If yuh is an average couple most of de cash yuh collect can’t even cover de honeymoon. But deh gat some people, dem nah average.  Dem gat rich friends and family who generous. Dem does get nuff envelopes and does end up end up with enough to buy a piece of land or pay off dem loan. Dem boys seh if yuh in debt,  nah worry about de bank loans. Just find a partner, tie de knot, and tell everybody cash only. No plates, no mugs, no toasters. Just crisp, clean bills. De new wedding trend is cash dash, and if yuh play yuh cards right, yuh might just come out richer on de other side. Cash is king, and weddings is de new bank. Who needs a loan when yuh can get married? Talk half. Leff half. Related Similar Articles

Batting woes continue as West Indies on brink of swift first Test defeat at stumps on day two Jul 12, 2024 Sports Ben Stokes (left), James Anderson (middle) and Zak Crawley (right) celebrating the wicket of Alick Athanaze (background) on day two of the first Test between England and the West Indies at Lord’s on Thursday. (Getty Images) SportsMax – The West Indies are on the brink of a quick defeat at stumps on day two of the first of three Tests against England at Lord’s. The tourists ended Thursday 79-6 off 34.5 overs, needing a further 171 runs to force England to bat again. Similar to the first innings, the West Indian top order failed to impress as Kraigg Brathwaite (4), Kirk McKenzie (0), Mikyle Louis (14) and Kavem Hodge (4) all fell within the first 20 overs of the innings with the West Indies teetering at just 37. Alick Athanaze was next to go after battling hard for 22 to leave the West Indies 55-5 in the 29th over before Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva looked set to see out the English bowling for the rest of the day. James Anderson celebrating the wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite. (Getty Images) This proved not to be the case as Holder became Gus Atkinson’s ninth wicket of his magical debut in the day’s last over for 20 to leave the West Indies 79-6 off 34.5 overs at stumps. Joshua Da Silva was 8* at the close of play. James Anderson, Atkinson and skipper Ben Stokes have taken two wickets, each, so far. Earlier, the hosts progressed to 371 all out off 90 overs after beginning day two 189-3. Jamie Smith on his way to 70 on debut. (Getty Images) Both overnight batsmen, Joe Root and Harry Brook, went on to bring up their fifties. Root eventually fell for a 114-ball 68 including seven fours while Brook made an even 50 off 64 balls including five fours and a six. The top scorer on the day, however, was debutant Jamie Smith who hit eight fours and two sixes on his way to a 119-ball 70. On his return to the Test arena, Jayden Seales was the pick of the West Indian bowlers with 4-77 from 20 overs. Gudakesh Motie and Jason Holder provided good support for Seales with 2-41 off 16 overs and 2-58 off 18 overs, respectively. Full Scores: West Indies 121 all out off 41.4 overs (Mikyle Louis 27, Gus Atkinson 7-45) & 79-6 off 34.5 overs (Alick Athanaze 22, James Anderson 2-11, Ben Stokes 2-25, Gus Atkinson 2-27); England 371 all out off 90 overs (Zak Crawley 76, Jamie Smith 70, Joe Root 68, Ollie Pope 57, Harry Brook 50, Jayden Seales 4-77, Gudakesh Motie 2-41, Jason Holder 2-58). Related Similar Articles

Quarterfinals: Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Dem’ edition continues today Jul 12, 2024 Sports Flashback! A scene from the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West/East Bank Demerara Championship. Kaieteur Sports – Today at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West/East Bank Demerara Championship quarterfinal round will take place, following a sell-out crowd on the opening night. In the first quarterfinal fixture at 20:00hrs, the Pouderoyen Brothers will lock horns with Jetty Gunners, while the second encounter at 21:00hrs will pit ESPN against Team Family. In the third fixture, Showstoppers will lock horns with Westside Ballers from 22:00hrs, while the final fixture of the evening will witness defending champion Ballerz Empire battling Epic Touch Family at 23:00hrs. Tournament Coordinator Travis ‘Zoti’ Bess said, “Last Friday night turnout was the biggest so far for a first night in the West/East Bank Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ football tournament, and I’m hoping that more fans come out on this Friday night to support their respective teams/villages in the quarterfinals. So far the quality of some teams has improved from last year. For example, the Pouderoyen Brothers beat Up Like-7 by 5-1 score and will be making their first appearance in the quarterfinals of the tournament, which can only boost their confidence going forward.” He further said, “My expectation going forward is not only to have a large turnout but to also see top-level football from the teams/village that remains in the tournament. We are looking to have the exhibition games start like 7:30 and will be played for 20 minutes (10 minutes a half). Then we will go into the quarterfinal matches, which will be played for 20 minutes and a half (40 minutes) per match. If scores are level, we go to extra time of 5 minutes and a half (10 minutes).” Related Similar Articles

GHB’s Summer Break Junior Hockey tournament unfolds July 12-14 Jul 12, 2024 Sports Summer Break Junior’s Hockey tournament bullies off today. (filed photo) Kaieteur Sports – The Value4U sponsored, Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Summer Break Junior Hockey Tournament bullies off from today (Friday) to July 14 at the Georgetown Cricket Club Turf. The action is set to commence today with some gripping outdoor clashes. This segment will feature Under 13 mixed teams and Under 16 girls and boys teams, showcasing the incredible talent of our young athletes. Following this, the tournament will move indoors to the National Gymnasium on Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14. The indoor competition will include Under 13 mixed teams, Under 16 girls and boys teams, and Under 21 girls and boys teams. Adding to the excitement, teams from Trinidad will be competing in the Under 13 mixed and Under 16 girl’s categories, bringing an international dimension to the event and fostering regional camaraderie. “We are incredibly excited to host the Summer Break Junior Tournament with the generous support of Value4U Inc.,” said Dominique Fraser, Technical Delegate for the tournament. “This tournament not only provides a platform for our young athletes to showcase their skills but also promotes the growth of hockey in the region. We look forward to a weekend of competitive and spirited play.” The Guyana Hockey Board invites all hockey enthusiasts, families, and supporters to come out and enjoy the matches. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available at both venues. Join us for a fantastic weekend of junior hockey and cheer on our future stars! The tournament is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Value4U Inc. Related Similar Articles