The government wants to further improve the pay position and working conditions of teachers. President Jennifer Simons announced in her annual address on Wednesday, September 30, that in addition to remuneration, secondary benefits, career prospects and workload reduction will also receive attention. She did not mention concrete amounts or a timeline for these further improvements.
“No reform can succeed without well-qualified teachers,” Simons stated during the presentation of government policy for 2027 in De Nationale Assemblée (Suriname’s parliament). To keep the profession attractive, the government also wants to modernise teacher-training programmes.
According to the president, a 15 percent salary adjustment was granted to civil servants, teachers and other public employees as of September 2026. In March, a tax-free allowance had already been granted, she said. Discussions are being held with teachers on further improving their position.
The president linked the improvement of incomes to maintaining economic stability. According to her, a higher income leads to better living conditions only if the macroeconomic situation remains healthy and the exchange rate is kept stable.
Remuneration part of education recovery
Simons referred to the education conferences held by the government in April and June. During the first meeting, education models abroad were examined. The second focused on problems and obstacles within Surinamese education, including the remuneration of educators at different levels.
In the follow-up process, the government wants to work towards a sustainable improvement of both education and the position of educators. According to the annual address, investments in teachers and retaining the education workforce are among the four central policy measures for the 2026–2027 school year.
The other focal points are a coherent national education system, the position of the Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname and the training of educators.
Better progression for students
In addition to staffing issues, the government wants to improve the connection between types of education. In 2027, further work must be done on progression opportunities, attainment targets and qualification levels, so that students from different programmes can continue their studies.
“No student may end up on a dead-end path within our education system,” Simons said. She stressed that Suriname needs not only academics, but also technicians, skilled workers, entrepreneurs and practically trained professionals.
The annual address thus provides a policy direction for improving the teaching profession. How the further salary adjustments, secondary benefits and workload reduction will be implemented still needs to be worked out.
