The Guyana Teachers Union during a press conference, yesterday, stated that if proper measures are not put in place by the Ministry of Education to protect teachers, the teachers will be forced to protect themselves at whatever cost.This statement stemmed from a number of reports of teachers being assaulted by parents,China Jerseys NFL Wholesale, and even students themselves.Most of these attacks resulted in teachers having to seek medical attention. Some were even hospitalized, Union President Colin Bynoe saidA pregnant teacher also suffered a miscarriage as result of a thrashing she received from the aunt of a student.Ms. Coretta McDonald, General Secretary to the Union, noted that it has been far too long since teachers are being assaulted, and that it is about time that teachers stand up for themselves, and their attackers face the full penalty of the law.The union believes that as important as it is for schools to be children friendly, it is also that imperative for teachers to feel comfortable and safe in the environment in which they are expected to function.Mr. Malcolm Marcus,Cheap Jerseys USA, First Vice President of the Union, explained that neither a teacher nor a child can task effectively if either is in an environment where each is being blatantly disrespected, or have to be scared of being attacked.The GTU believes that it is the lack of efficient and capable guards in schools that is adding to the situation.According to Marcus, though the Ministry would issue payments to the guard services, there have been cases where teachers doubt guards are ever at the institutions.And as such,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, he advised that there be a log process to ensure that the guards are doing,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, or at least showing up to do what they are being paid to do.The Union is also of the view that the guard should receive a proper orientation on the environment that he or she is to be stationed.Marcus also spoke about reinforcing a system which was once in place whenever a visitor goes into a school’s compound. He or she must be escorted directly to the Head’s office, before visiting any part of the school.This also entails that the visitor and whoever he or she is there to meet would only be able to talk in the presence of the HM; regardless if it is a personal visit, or on behalf of a student.It would be an assurance to teachers that at least outsiders cannot barge in and attack them.It must be noted that during a meeting with some of the assaulted teachers last month,wholesale jerseys, Minister Manickchand urged that speedy action be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice, and that they must ‘face the full force of the law”.Mr. Colin Bynoe, addressed the issue of the promised five per cent increase in teachers’ salaries. He said that it has not yet been applied. This is despite an agreement to have the said raise be enforced in January last.He added that it was explained to them that the elections and parliamentary debates encouraged a delay in the raise.He did however explain that senior officials at both the Ministry of Education and Finance have assured them that the hike in salaries will be applied this month end.As it relates to the Teachers’ Housing Fund, Bynoe said that the GTU is yet to meet with the Minister of Housing in this regard.The Union, on behalf of all its members also took the opportunity to extend condolences to the relatives and close friends of the late teacher,Cheap Jerseys USA, Gertrude Dolphin, who died at the age of 104.