MINISTER OF EDUCATION WANTS NOMALIZATION IN EDUCATIVE
SECTOR
Minister of Education, Karan Ramsundersing has notified the FOLS that he was willing to play an
intermediate roll in the discussions between them and the government once the situation at the
schools is back to normal. This was stated in a letter that was sent to the FOLS by the Minister in
reaction to the one received from the FOLS on November 10, in which the FOLS had stated their
grievances. The Minister expects a cooperative reaction from the FOLS who are at present
wrangling with the government for a wage increase of 100 percent for the teachers. Better
medical benefits, a balanced tax system are some of the other points of discussion. According to a
report from the Ministry of Education 60 percent of the teachers have gone back to work. It has
been reported that schools in the commewijne district are for the most part open, while those at
Kwatta were all open. The report further states that parents would like to have the schools
operate in their normal way and that children may not be used to support actions. The Minister
has visited the schools yesterday and was welcomed by students and teachers at some of the
schools. In the meanwhile it is expected that more schools in and around Paramaribo will open
their doors for the students. Of course there is also the possability that a few will remain closed
but then again just a few.
CLO and FOLS workers are planning a visit to the Ministry of Social Affairs for today. It is
expected that the group will gather at the SPA building from where they will march to the
department of Social Affairs to seek attention for their action. Once there they intend asking
Minister Soewarto Moestadja to grant them permision to register for the dole to compensate for
their low salaries which cannot cover their monthly expences.
CANADIANS INTERESTEDIN SURINAME MINING SECTOR
David Kelgour, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is at present in Suriname for an official
visit for the signing of the The Ocean Carter, has stated during a courtesy visit to President
Wijdenbosch that Canada would like to examine possibilities of investing in our country's mining
sector. Kelgour spoke of diffrent investing possabilities with Errol Snijders and the President who
promised to do his best to pave the way for Canada to invest in Suriname.
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