The government aims to implement the agreements on the revaluation of education staff at the end of November 2026. According to Minister Marinus Bee of Binnenlandse Zaken (BiZa), several education unions have provisionally agreed to the government’s calculations and proposals. The coming weeks will be used to make the necessary administrative preparations.
This was stated by Minister Bee on Tuesday, 27 October, to the Communicatie Dienst Suriname (CDS), following consultations between the government and representatives of several education unions at the Kabinet van de President.
During the meeting, an interim result was reached in the negotiations on better recognition of education staff. The talks have now been ongoing for approximately three months.
“We have been working on this for at least three months, and today we were able to reach an interim result,” Bee stated.
Education unions agree with proposal
According to the minister, the education unions can for the time being agree with the government proposal. This concerns the calculations made and the revaluation of the qualifications of education staff.
It has not yet been announced what specific financial improvements the agreements will bring for teachers. No details have been provided on the scale of any salary adjustments either.
Bee stressed that the government wants to better position education staff and that implementation of the interim agreements must now be prepared administratively.
“Now we will make every effort to put the matter in order administratively,” the minister said.
Education unions want to inform president
Despite the result achieved, the government and the education unions remain in talks. According to Bee, the unions have asked to be allowed to present their views directly to the president at a later date.
The minister indicated that a process has been mapped out for regular consultations with the education organisations. Attention will be paid not only to the recognition of teachers, but also to further investments in education.
“We will talk with them more often, because we want to raise education to a higher level. We need to invest in a number of areas and we will continue to make every effort,” Bee said.
Also participating in the consultations on behalf of the government were Deputy Minister Raj Jadnanansing of Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Arbeid (VWA) and Director Vincent Fernandes of Financiën en Planning.
