B.N.T.U. President Says Teachers Are Being Asked To Resign Over CPD Hours

Ruth Shoman

As you heard, Shoman noted that some teachers are being asked to resign because they have not met their required continuing professional development hours to start the new school year. Shoman says teachers are already burdened by the cost of preparing to return to school. She contends that having to pay for CDP courses only compounds their financial hardships.

Ruth Shoman, President, Belize National Teachers Union

“CPD hours and the license renewal is a huge issue, and I want teachers to know before you get a letter from anybody saying that you must resign because you cannot renew your license, please call me. Call the office, don’t submit that resignation letter. We have seen teachers during the summer resigning after having years of service. And, this is unfair.”

Paul Lopez

“Is that request for resignation because they haven’t completed what is set out as the required CPDR?”

Ruth Shoman

“Right, and we have to be watchful because there are some entities that are making this a business. Already teachers have to address the shortcomings that managements bring to their table by not providing what they should in the classroom. And now they have to be paying for workshops to accumulate one hundred and twenty hours. So, how much more can our teachers bear? And if teachers reach a breaking point, our society is going to feel it, our children will feel it, and I hope that that message is resonating out there because no matter what is said, teachers are the backbone.”