Faber Open to Compromise on Deductions and Class Time

Patrick Faber

Both parties have agreed to meet and discuss the terms of the deduction, but has there been any consideration on the part of government to do away with a pay cut altogether?  That’s what we asked Faber this morning.  He says the issue is not a cut and paste situation.

Isani Cayetano

“Have you, as the Minister of Education and as a member of the Government of Belize, considered writing this off altogether to avoid any other situation that may emanate out of having to deduct from these teachers’ salaries?”

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

“Well, as the Minister of Education I have to look at all sides and really, people who are in support of the teachers being paid say, “just pay the teachers and get it over with.”  But the truth is that paying the teachers will not satisfy everybody.  There are many people who did go to work.  There are parents who were terribly inconvenienced and they want to see things go the other way.  So anything that you do in this situation will bring some level of problems and so we are hoping that when we sit down on Friday with the B.N.T.U. we are able to come to some common ground where yes, the union takes some responsibility for what happened and takes on the responsibility as well, at least partially to pay those teachers and then the government looks at the situation and tries to do its part.  I think while there are many stakeholders who are affected, the parents, the school managements, the children, none of them, none of those stakeholders, in my opinion, should be considered above the children and that is really the focus of our ministry, the focus of this Minister.  And that is how I am going to go into those meetings on Friday, with a mind to try to alleviate the situation, ameliorate the situation, if you will, and then look out for the best interest of the students.  That means that we will have a discussion on possibly making up the time as well and that is why for us it is important for the government to play a part, those who say, “noh even half a di pay, noh even put in anything.”  Well, if we go that route then it will be difficult to ask the teachers to do the make-up time.  And then if it is that make-up time is required what will happen to those teachers who went to school?  Will they be required to do make-up time as well without compensation?  So there is a lot of finer details that we need to discuss and I am looking forward to the meeting on Friday with the B.N.T.U. to get those matters resolved.”

We’ll have the results of that meeting in Friday’s newscast.