‘Lead by example’ – Parag calls out WIN MP’s repeated lateness as a teacher after education criticism

Minister of Education Sonia Parag called on Opposition Member of Parliament Dr Gordon Barker to “lead by example” after revealing his record of repeated lateness as a teacher.

Her remarks came in response to the parliamentarian’s criticism of the quality of education delivery during his maiden speech in the Budget 2026 debates on Monday.

Dr Barker, a representative of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and who is a teacher by profession, contended that educators lack incentives and resources.

The MP argued that “investing in buildings without investing in the people who occupy them, is a recipe for stagnation”.

He posited that, “as shadow Minister of Education, I urge this House to ensure that the allocations [in the education sector] …translate into visible classrooms, functional schools, empowered teachers and prepared learners for tomorrow.”

He also expressed that “when education delivery is weakened, learning outcomes suffer and no amount of examination fee subsidies can compensate for that loss”.

In her rebuttal on the matter of quality of education delivery, Minister Parag contended that the MP must lead by example, disclosing his record of late arrivals at school.

“The Honourable Member spoke about many things, but the one thing that he did not speak about is his own record for tardiness in the school,” she argued. “The 8th of September, 45 minutes late; the 9th of September, 26 minutes late; the 10th of September, 20 minutes late; the 11th of September, 45 minutes late; the 15th of September, 40 minutes late; the 22nd of September, 55 minutes late; the 24th of September, 35 minutes late; the 26th of September, 45 minutes late; the 30th of September, 20 minutes late.”

“Our children are being taught by someone who is in school and talking about ‘education being the priority’. You are the priority in the schools to ensure that our students learn…lead by example!” the minister contended.

Turning to the welfare of teachers, Parag explained that they now have access to cost-free study opportunities, receive various allowances, and have most recently benefited from salary increases through the multiyear agreement signed between the Guyana Government and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) in 2024.

Minister Parag affirmed that the $183 billion allocated to the education sector will be spent wisely to improve the lives of teachers and students, enhance the quality of education delivery, expand access to training opportunities, expand and improve infrastructure, increase benefits, and reduce burdens for all stakeholders.

Parag slams WIN MP for criticising GOAL programme that funded his studies