According to new measures unveiled by Guyanese President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, graduate teachers will now earn increased pay and benefits.
During a speech to the country today, Ali said that starting on December 1st, graduate instructors will be paid the highest wage appropriate for their position.
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Over 4,000 teachers will gain from this, and the state will pay GYD $1 billion a year for it.
Bachelor’s degree holders will get GYD $10,000 as an education allowance, while master’s and doctorate holders will earn GYD $20,000 and GYD $30,000.
The hike is anticipated to benefit about 4,500 teachers and raise government spending by GYD $500 million.
Ali stated that following meetings with trade unions throughout Guyana, the government is putting the changes into effect, which amount to a 10–17% increase above the minimum income that is currently provided to teachers.
Starting December 1, 2023, teachers employed in Guyana’s extensive hinterland would get a monthly adjustment to their Remote Areas Incentive (RAI) of $20,000 instead of $20,000.
With an additional $260 million in costs every year, the rise is anticipated to help almost 2,400 instructors.
According to Ali, with the higher RAI, a “Graduate Senior Mistress/Head of Department will now have their current salary adjusted upwards from $243,069 to $262,917, and with the inclusion of the revision to Education allowances, represents an overall 12 percent increase, compared to the previous minimum salary paid to a Graduate Senior Mistress/Head of Department.”
Ali further declared that, if they have never before obtained a duty-free concession, any instructors who have a substantive appointment as a Senior Master/Mistress or above and who are within three years of retirement will be eligible for one for a car up to 1500cc.
President Ali stated, “As of now, we have approximately 100 concessions given to teachers annually. Outside of these 100 concessions now, we are putting the position that every teacher once you are a senior master, mistress, and above you are entitled to this concession three years before retirement in keeping with the laws. This additional benefit will cost $150 million annually.”
