teachers will still not be able to make ends meet,” said Merredith Hoogdorp, deputy chairperson of the Syndicate ‘Wi Sa Stre’.

Hoogdorp explained that the allowance does not provide a structural solution for the financial problems that the nation’s educators face on a daily basis.The educators had asked for a raise of 50% of their current salary. “If they give us that, we can talk about a reasonable raise. But if they give SRD 2,500 while the fuel prices have gone up, the problem remains the same. We end up right were we started. We will keep struggling,” said Hoogdorp who added that teachers have nothing left after buying fuel for their car. “It is not even enough to last a whole month. It makes no difference in a time when everything has become more expensive.” The fuel price hikes make it even harder for educators to survive. Hoogdorp pointed out that some of her colleagues have to travel from Welgedacht and Hannaslust to Geyersvlijt every day. That is exhausting and it also costs a lot of money. I see colleagues struggling to make ends meet while they are tasked with preparing the future generation.” Hoogdorp also pointed out that the allowance has not been incorporated in the salary of the teachers which means that it will have huge consequences for teachers who will feature soon. “The allowance is not part of their salary, so it will not be added to their retirement pay. That means that they end up with the short end of the stick.” Hoogdorp pointed out that she was told that the allowance will most likely be tax free but she will only be able to confirm this at the end of this month. One thing is clear to the Syndicate and that is that teachers will remain trapped in a vicious circle of financial uncertainty, if the salary issue is not addressed in a structural and sustainable manner. “Teachers are not asking for luxury. They are asking for recognition in the form of a salary that makes it possible for them to make ends meet.