ITVET Toledo and the Ministry of Education at an impasse over removal of manager

Michael Vernon

This morning at the Toledo District Education Center, instructors from the local ITVET, as well as Belize National Teachers’ Union President Luke Palacio, along with ITVET’s Board of Governance met with embattled manager Allen Genus in an effort to reach an agreeable solution to an ongoing rift within the school’s administration.  Genus is being asked to step down from his leadership role at the institution, following a vote of no confidence by his staff.  But, before they were able to reach a decision, the meeting resulted in a deadlock, as the parties, including attorney Oscar Selgado, who appeared on behalf of Genus, were unable to determine whether he is subject to public service regulations or any of the education acts.  News Five spoke by phone with Michael Vernon this evening, who told us that while they are reporting to work fellow instructors are anticipating a timely response from the board and the Ministry of Education.

Via Phone: Michael Vernon, Instructor, ITVET

“Basically what happened today was the second phase of our investigation and we basically came to a deadlock due to the fact that policies that govern Mr. Genus, he is hired by the Public Service Union and basically he is working with the Ministry of Education and that is basically governed by the PSC Handbook and that is for the education system.  Now, that is where the conflict of interest begins.  He was represented there by his lawyer Mr. Oscar Selgado, as the agent for Mr. Genus and our agent was the B.N.T.U. National President Mr. Luke Palacio.  So we came to the agreement that within fifteen days we shall return to find out basically, from the ministry itself, fits the area of policy that actually governs the employment of Mr. Genus and how we can then use the proper guidelines to move ahead with due process in resolving the matter, more than likely in a sort of transfer of position to another department or ministry.  That is more than likely the outcome we are looking forward to because then basically we want someone with the necessary managerial skills and qualifications in this specified area of education that is governed by the PSC Handbook since we have other PSU employees here also at ITVET Toledo but these employees had to also go along with the PSC Handbook system and also they have to get their licenses to keep their employment.”