Grandparent Puts Idle Children to Work in Support of Teachers

Support has been coming in for teachers from all corners and tonight, one parent is taking on the challenge. Maria Villanueva, a resident of Belize City, is in full support of the teachers and their cause. Since primary schools—at least for her grandchildren—are closed, she is putting them to work; doing chores around the house and class work. Villanueva told News Five that she feels parents need to be proactive because teachers are not babysitters.

Maria Villanueva, Supports Teachers

“My grandchildren are helping with the chores around the house and then they are doing school work and then of course they get their break where they could watch TV or they go on the computer and play games or like my grandson that is in standard six, he has the P.S.E. that he practices on the computer so that he keeps up. But like my granny used to always say, idle hands are the devils workshop so we need to keep them busy and not just having them running around, but to keep them in a controlled environment so that they can be safe. School is totally locked down for them. I understand that and I support what the teachers are doing.”

Maria Villanueva

Duane Moody

“So you are saying that parents need to be proactive?”

Maria Villanueva

“Yes, parents need to be proactive and teachers are not babysitters. In summer what do you do? You have to find a way to keep your children busy and in the summer time, you have to find things for them to do so that they won’t be wondering off or the wrong company tries to influence them.”

Students of Saint John’s College Junior College have also been doing their part to show their support for teachers. A petition on the site, I-petitions dot org, created by an S.J.C.J.C student invites colleagues to join the student body executive in supporting the B.N.T.U.  The petition reads, “Saint John’s College Junior College is best known as the premier institution of Belize because of our achievements and standards of excellence. It produces some of the most accomplished and well-known leaders in Belize and continues to do so. Students of SJCJC, this is your time to put your leadership and inductive skills to the test. In light of the recent uproar being caused by the Belize National Teacher’s Union, the student council and other students of S.J.C.J.C. have expressed their support for the B.N.T.U.’s strike, fight against corruption and other issues affecting our nation. We believe that students and executives alike should stand in solidarity with the B.N.T.U. and their movement. They are one of the most powerful and influential organizations in our country and they need every other establishment’s help to set their plan in motion. In support of B.N.T.U., we hope to voice the students’ sentiments towards the matter and then seek action. By signing this petition, you too are supporting the SJCJC’s student council’s proposal and the B.N.T.U.’s cause. This is something much bigger than the institution and the unions. This is something that will determine the direction of our country’s development. Be the change you want to see and the first step is here.” Almost five hundred signatures and one hundred comments have been collected since the petition was established two days ago.