Teachers of Belize Rural High School Stage Sit-out

Five teachers of Belize Rural High School in Double Head Cabbage staged a sit-out today as a result of a power struggle between the principal and teachers, and the school’s board. Students were sent out as a result of this protest-like action against the board which was recently formed and is chaired by Ardeth McFadzean. According to an inside source, the teachers are upset with the board’s move to take control of the school. News Five was told that issues arose when the board reportedly began pushing for a male student with long hair to attend classes at the first form level. Parents are upset because the handbook strictly states that male students should have low cut hair. Some are of the view that the student’s parents are politically connected and as such he is being treated differently. According to McFadzean, one parent approached the board, complaining of the matter which was to be discussed during a meeting on Saturday. That meeting did not materialize because a quorum was not met. The principal, Juan Gongora, was also asked to produce the school’s budget which was to be a subject for Saturday’s agenda. McFadzean told News Five that the board which is comprised of eight members has attempted to meet with the staff several times to discuss the issues. We’ll keep following this story.