Opposition Leader Joins Union Chorus: PM Briceno Must Apologize

Shyne Barrow

During an appearance on Open Your Eyes last Monday, Prime Minister John Briceño made a remark about teachers that did not go over too well with the Belize National Teachers Union.  They have since demanded that PM Briceño apologize for what he said publicly.  Joining the chorus is the Leader of the Opposition who has also come forward in support of B.N.T.U.’s position.

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“We join with the union, the BNTU, in demanding that the prime minister apologizes for the very disrespectful comments that he made.  You know, money is important, financial support is important, but to demoralize our teachers like that, to demean our teachers like that, in such a blanket statement… there is no system, no institution is a hundred percent effective.  So of course, there will always be people who are not performing, but the way in which the statement was made, it gives the impression that teachers, period, are not performing to the level that they should and I believe that that is a dishonest report of the facts and the prime minister owes our teachers an apology to be so dismissive and disrespectful.”