During a protest in front of the Prime Minister’s office in Belmopan, veteran teacher and member of the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) Otilio Munoz, told the press that it was not fair for him to lose 27 years of “my life to my country. I felt that I had to resign.”
According to Munoz, he is totally against the CPDs (Continous Professional Development) hours being tied to the performance and qualification of a teacher. The ministry implemented the CPDs to ensure high standards of teaching and learning across the country. According to Munoz, each teacher is required to complete 120 hours to qualify for a license renewal. Munoz says that the CPDs requirements forced him to resign.
In response, the ministry posted on its Facebook page that it has “rejected ZERO licences since January 2024, except for teachers who did not meet respective qualifications for a new licence. NO LICENCES were rejected for incomplete CPD hours. These licence renewals are on hold.”
Munoz commented, “While on hold the teacher will not be able to get a salary nor be in a classroom teaching. Which teacher will be able to afford that when they have a mortgage a family to sustain and have their children studying in primary school,high school, tertiary and even university? Many teachers are leaving Belize to go to the US to teach or to Taiwan to teach English.” The ministry answered, “Hi Otilio, we appreciate you taking the time out to comment and raise this concern with us. On another note, personnel from the Ministry have tried to reach out to your via Facebook Messenger on another matter. Can you assist us by looking into any message requests you may have pending? Thank you once again for your time.” Munoz responded, “it’s too late because I had to resign! What bothers me is that I did an excellent job as a teacher ,as a principal,as a workshop facilitator, and as chairman of the district education council and still when I appeal for a special license as specified in the education rule which I met all the criteria the chief answered saying I cannot but gave me the option to do the cpd’s and then re apply for my renewal of my teacher’s license. I will say it over again having those cpd’s attached as a must for renewal of a teacher’s license is out of order and unconstitutional! As a Belizean I have the right to work! Any rules that supersedes my constitutional right is null and void. As a Justice of the Peace I believe in Justice!”
Other teachers commented on the post about delayed response. One said, “Mines has been on hold for over a year. I requested number of cpd hours. Still haven’t gotten it, no school will hire a teacher with a license on hold.”
Another said, “I don’t understand why it takes so long for personnel’s from ministry to respond to an email as it pertains to cpd hour obtain for teachers. I sent an email from June and no response. I’m attending UB and on my last leg prior internship for my bachelor’s degree so I want to know how many CPDS I’m qualified for thus far ? Or do I need to complete my degree to await a response? I need to know how many CPDS I’m short or if Im qualified to renew now.”
