Chief Education Officer Response to B.N.T.U.’s Discontent with Proposed Amendment to Education Act

Carol Babb

Across the country today, a number of teachers at public schools wore their well-known green T-shirts in support of the Belize National Teachers Union. The union intended to send a message to the Ministry of Education that it is not in agreement with the proposed amendment to the Education Act as it relates to vacations periods and the school calendar. That power rests with the Chief Education Officer, Doctor Carol Babb.  Today, when News Five caught up with Doctor Babb at a handing over ceremony in Belize City, we asked her to comment on the issue.

Dr. Carol Babb, Chief Education Officer

“The children are our greatest concerns. Our concern is that the children, according to the Education Rules, are entitled to a hundred and eighty days. The children wanted their full three-week vacation and the Ministry of Education, under our minister, granted that. But we need to ensure that the hundred and eighty days are made up. There are draft amendments; they are not finalised as yet. We will look at the school’s calendar and we need to see how the children…the children deserve it. Education is the only hope for these children; we cannot short change them. And I am a teacher too, by profession, and we need to ensure that children get what they deserve and need and they need the hundred and eighty days.”

Duane Moody

“So how does the ministry allow for that to happen because I know that they got their three weeks right here during the December break?”

Dr. Carol Babb

“They got their three weeks. We need to look at the school’s calendar—we have not done that yet—and we will look at the school’s calendar and do our best to ensure that the hundred and eighty days are made up. But that has not been finalised as yet so I cannot tell you more until that process is worked through.”