Latest update May 10th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 11, 2009 News
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) continued its picketing exercise outside the Ministry of Education at 78 Brickdam yesterday, pressing for the appointment of Ms Geneveive Whyte-Nedd as Chief Education Officer.
Norris Witter, Acting General Secretary of the GTUC, told Kaieteur News that the treatment of Ms. Whyte-Nedd demonstrates the callousness, blatant disregard for due process and scant respect for the rule of law by the government. He said the union took a position at the last May Day rally and passed a resolution that they envisaged would have seen the eventual appointment of Mrs. Whyte-Nedd.
“It is a shame that this government has not seen the need to give to this qualified individual what is due to her.” For that, Witter said they will continue their picketing exercise until the correct action is taken.
He expressed that he is at a loss as to why Ms Whyte-Nedd, who is overly qualified for the position, is being overlooked. Noting that she has been acting in the position for over seven years, Witter said it is inexcusable that she has not been appointed to date. The union secretary says they have already informed their overseas counterparts and further actions are to be taken.
In a brief interview with Kaieteur News, Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr Desrey Fox said her Ministry supports Ms Whyte-Nedd’s appointment, noting that due process must be followed. Referring to the Whyte-Nedd saga, Fox said “these things take a lot of arguing and pushing for…, we have dealt with the matter at the education sub-committee”.
Gillian Burton, President of the GTUC described the treatment of Whyte-Nedd as disrespectful and unfortunate. Responding to a recent comment by Education Minister Shaik Baksh that the appointment of Whyte-Nedd is outside his purview, Burton said that is nonsense as “he can make an input”. “… he has taken a position to shirk responsibility, after one of your workers would have served so dedicatedly over the years and the time has come for her to get due recompense. The Minister is hiding behind the curtains of the Public Service Commission.”
Burton believes when qualified persons are found in all sectors nothing should hinder them from being appointed to relevant positions. A deviation from this can be seen as nothing less than discrimination and an act in bad faith, according to Burton.
The protestors numbered about ten and carried placards with various messages.
The GTUC says the protest will continue until Ms Whyte-Nedd is appointed to a position that she was shortlisted as the most qualified and experienced individual. Whyte-Nedd has a Masters in Education, a BSc in Education, a Certificate in Management and Supervisory Practices, a Certificate in Nursery Education, a Class One Grade One Trained Teacher Certificate and a number of years as a teacher.
It is disgusting that our teachers have to protest in the streets for a…
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