Ministry of Education Goes to Managing Authorities to Resolve B.N.T.U. Dispute

The impasse between the Ministry of Education and the Belize National Teachers Union came to a head on Friday when B.N.T.U. National President Luke Palacio firmly stood his ground, following a meeting of the Council of Management.  The decision coming out of those discussions was that if the twenty-five member delegation cannot meet with Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber then they would not meet at all.  The purpose of the sit-down was for both parties to decide on salary deductions for teachers, as well as makeup time, following an eleven-day strike in October.  Well school children will spend more time in the classrooms and teachers will be compensated accordingly. Late this evening, the Ministry of Education issued a release stating that it is pretty much bypassing the unions altogether and going directly to the school’s management.  The statement goes on to say, “In light of the stalemate reached with the Belize National Teachers Union, the Ministry of Education hereby informs that it will be meeting with Managing Authorities to discuss plans for making up a significant portion of instructional time lost as a result of the recent strike. Teachers will be compensated for time made up.” The ministry decision which cites the Education Rules 2000, particularly Rule one-twenty-one, essentially knocks the wind out of the B.N.T.U.’s sails.