B.N.T.U. on Negotiations with M.O.E.

Elena Smith

Earlier this month representatives of the Belize National Teaches Union met with the Ministry of Education in Belize in an effort to find common grounds over disagreements regarding amendments to the Education Rules. Both parties were at odds over proposed amendments which cover all vacations periods, gives the Chief Education Officer the sole power to determine those periods. Discussions were also had over Continuing Professional Development hours which the teachers require in order to successfully obtain their teacher’s license. According to President Elena Smith, some of the teachers are not satisfied with what the union managed to agree with the Ministry. B.N.T.U. President Senator Elena Smith provided an update.

Senator Elena Smith, National President, B.N.T.U.

“As with everything you never get a hundred percent. We had meeting with three branches over the past few days and those teachers are satisfied but we do have other teachers from other branches who wanted the CDP hours to be reduced by half. So those persons are not satisfied with the reduction that we got. Let me first clarify any misconception; we have never said that out teachers must not take part in professional development. Our position is that what the ministry and managements offer to our teachers does not allow them to attain the one hundred and twenty CDP hours. That is the issue. You cannot tell me that I must have these things in order to renew my license if you don’t provide it so how can you penalize me for something that is beyond my control.”