BNTU Call School Managements ‘the Grinch that Stole Christmas’

Posted: Friday, December 21, 2018. 3:56 p.m. CST.

By BBN Staff: The membership of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) engaged in a demonstration and rally on November 8,2018, in Belmopan City in an effort to get the Ministry of Education (MOE) officials to honor a commitment that was previously made to adequately address the issue of ‘Hardship Allowances’ and ‘Time Off’ to collect salary.

Over 1,500 teachers from across the country congregated at the Belmopan Civic Centre to express their discontent with the Ministry of Education(MOE) on this matter.

Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, and the top brass of MOE then agreed to meet with BNTU Executive Members and Branch Presidents to address the pending issues in a meeting held on November 23, 2018.

When asked if the Ministry intended to dock the salaries of the teachers who participated in the demonstration and rally, Faber alluded to the fact that the Ministry had no intentions of doing so and therefore those monies would NOT be withheld from school managers.

However, the BNTU today informed the public via a press release that “in true Grinch-like manner”, some school managers have made the decision to dock the salaries of the teachers just weeks before the Christmas holidays are to begin.

The union says that although the Education rules make provision for managers to make that decision, it is one that can only be classified as downright “mean-spirited” and an attempt at union busting since those monies would have to be calculated and then sent back to the government coffers.

“Thé BNTU, therefore, wishes to register total discontent with this latest action by certain Managements and reminds them that these schools CANNOT function without the hard work, dedication and more often than not, EXTRA TIME AND EFFORT given by their teachers. The success of fundraising events and other extracurricular activities are all dependent on our teachers,” the union says.

The BNTU says that in addition, there is also a very large number of teachers who PLEDGE $30-$50 from their salaries monthly to school managers to aid in operational costs.

 The union says that it will pursue all avenues, including legal action, to ensure a positive outcome for its members.

 

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