GEORGETOWN (CMC):

Guyana plans to approach countries that recruit its teachers, to get them to halt the practice, says Education Minister Shaik Baksh.

Baksh told legislators this week that he would "engage donor countries on the unfair recruitment of teachers in keeping with the Commonwealth Protocol on the Recruitment of Teachers".

Some 400,000 Guyanese live and work overseas, with many made up of teachers who were actively recruited to teach abroad after completing their training here.

North America, Europe, some Caribbean countries, and, most recently Botswana, in Africa, look to Guyana for trained educators to fill their shortage in teachers.

When they complete their training, teachers are financially indebted to the Guyana government, but many choose lucrative jobs abroad to repay their bonds.

Outflow

Many local teachers earn a little over G$20,000 (US$100) monthly, and in a bid to stem the outflow from the sector, the Guyana Teachers' Union and the govern-ment signed a five-year deal which includes a five per cent per annum across-the-board increase for all categories of teachers.

Teachers also now benefit from increased remuneration for improved qualifications; an annual clothing allowance of G$6,000 (US$30); and duty-free concessions for vehicles for 100 head teachers.