News Source Guyana Reports | In a significant move today, President Irfaan Ali administered the oath to the newly appointed seven-member Teaching Service Commission, despite the absence of a Leader of the Opposition—a situation that has raised constitutional concerns.
According to the Constitution of Guyana, three members of the Commission are to be appointed by the President after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. However, since the convening of the 13th Parliament in November, no Leader of the Opposition has been elected due to the Speaker’s refusal to set a date for such an election.
While addressing the newly appointed Commissioners, President Ali did not specifically mention the absence of an Opposition Leader. However, he expressed the necessity of establishing the Commission to continue vital work in improving the education system. “It is an important constitutional responsibility that has to be executed,” he stated, adding that the Minister of Education emphasized the urgency of having the Commission in place to facilitate necessary reforms and improvements in the teaching profession.
The President reassured that he would fulfill his constitutional duty to consult with whatever Opposition Leader is elected in the future but emphasized that governmental operations cannot be stalled due to political circumstances.
In response to the President’s actions, Ganesh Mahipaul, a Member of Parliament from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), criticized the unilateral appointments, warning that this represents a dangerous erosion of constitutional norms. “This is precisely the kind of constitutional erosion we in the APNU have been warning about,” he said, attributing the lack of an Opposition Leader to the Speaker’s refusal to allow the election.
During his address, President Ali highlighted pressing issues in the education sector, noting that there are currently 2,700 senior vacancies within schools across Guyana. He pointed out that these vacancies, which the government has worked to address, reflect a commitment to improving educational standards and facilitating upward mobility for teachers.
The Education Minister, Sonia Parag, has proposed the appointment of a second deputy head teacher in Grades A and B secondary schools as part of the reconstitution of the Commission, with plans for 60 such appointments.
The President emphasized the critical role of the Teaching Service Commission in maintaining the integrity, professionalism, and fairness of the teaching profession. He reiterated that the Commission serves as an independent institution responsible for making appointments, promotions, and disciplinary actions based on merit and fairness.
The individuals appointed to the Commission are the Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, Doodmattie Singh, Shafiran Bhajan, Joan Davis-Monkhouse, Lancelot Baptiste, Satti Jaisieriisingh, and Mayda Persaud.
As the political landscape in Guyana remains tense, the implications of these appointments are yet to unfold, with opposition members voicing concerns regarding the direction of governance and adherence to constitutional protocols.
