All But One School in Benque Paraded for the Annual Children’s Day Rally Today
We begin tonight’s newscast with the controversy in Benque that wasn’t. On Thursday, we had reported that the Belize National Teachers Union Benque Viejo branch had informed the government that its members had agreed to postpone their school parade today, as initially planned by the Ministry of Education. But it seems that there was a change of position on that decision and that preparations were still being made behind the scenes for the parade to take place. Tonight, we can report that, all but one school – Mopan Technical High – did not participate in the parade. The reason for the resistance was that the event coincided with Guatemala’s Independence Day today, and that, according to the B.N.T.U. Benque branch President, Andrew Arnold in a letter to the town’s principals and local managers, it would have been better to hold the parade on the traditional September twentieth, given the sensitivity of this matter. But the national B.N.T.U. executive did not support that position, and eventually, so too did the rest of the schools, which turned out in numbers to march. The school’s official who decided against taking part in the event, won’t escape consequences, however. While he did not want to elaborate on those consequences today when he attended the Belize City Children’s Rally, Minister of Education did say that not taking part in civic, public school events is a violation of the Education Act and that the Ministry will take action against that official.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“I’m told that there – there was a march in Benque.”
Reporter
“They didn’t abide by what the B.N.T.U…”
Francis Fonseca
“Well, that was one school, really. It had come down to one school, Mopan Technical kind of taking a stand, but my understanding is -as I said, I haven’t seen any official pictures yet from Benque, but my understanding is that other schools carried out the official ceremonies.”
Reporter
“And you’ve spoken about repercussions. What repercussions would schools face in such an instance?”
Francis Fonseca
“Man, we’re celebrating today. We’re having a great day today. We don’t want any negative vibes today. Next week, the Chief Education Officer will deal with that.”
Reporter
“Do you note, though, that there was significant pushback from the public against that decision from the B.N.T.U?”
Francis Fonseca
“Yes, a significant pushback. You know, and it’s a violation of the Education Rules. I want to make that clear. The Education Rules state very specifically, I think it’s Section 40, that teachers are to participate in civic ceremonies, in civic public ceremonies, honoring and celebrating our nation. That is a requirement under the Education Act, so, you know, as I said, today is a day of celebration and positive energy, but I think certainly, as I said yesterday, I’m very disappointed in the B.N.T.U Benque branch. I’m glad that the national branch of the B.NT.U – I spoke to the acting president, you know – really said that they didn’t know anything about it and that they were distancing themselves from that decision.”
