President Barrow says his government will negotiate with The Gambia Teachers Union to reach a conclusion on the ongoing strike by a ‘section’ of Gambian teachers, dubbed, “Teachers For Change”
“Well, I think we cannot call it Gambian teachers but a section of Gambian teachers. We want to negotiate this [strike] through The Gambia Teachers’ Union, which is the body responsible for teachers,”
Barrow told journalists in an interview at the Banjul International Airport after arriving from the UN General Assembly in New York.
He added: “I want to send a message across; this new found democracy we have to be very careful because every group will just get up and say ‘we will strike’ and this improper and incorrect. It is putting pressure on The Gambia and we don’t want that to happen- we have to follow the due process.”
“Enough is enough”
“We have to negotiate with the GTU to reach a conclusion but nobody should just get up and strike.”
“We are going to take our stance. I think they are testing the waters and enough is enough.”
On the UN Summit, President decried the 73rd UNGA as a good one where the issue of Africa’s representation in UN Security Council was emphasized.
The teachers are demanding for a better pay and improved working conditions.
The Vice President Ousainou Darboe, in a meeting with the striking teachers was reported to have threatened that teachers who failed to return to schools by 28th September, would have their contracts terminated and be replaced by retired teachers. This is not the first time that teachers are embarking on such strikes.
