What started as a planned demonstration swelled in size after comments made by the Ministry of Education’s C.E.O., Dian Maheia, on national television Thursday morning. According to B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz, Maheia’s remarks during her Open Your Eyes appearance struck a nerve with educators already frustrated over stalled salary negotiations. The result? A reported twenty-five percent spike in turnout at today’s protest in Belmopan. Caliz didn’t mince words, accusing the Briceno administration of operating with what she called an “Animal Farm” mentality—a reference to perceived inequality and favoritism in how salary increases are being handled. The message from the union was clear: teachers are watching, and they’re ready to push back.
Nadia Caliz, President, B.N.T.U.
“They took issue with the CEO. They took issue with certain things the chief said and they found the CEOs response to be arrogant. I did not ask for a raise, my boss gave me and now they want to demonstrate against me. In my view, she should have been quiet. So, since the boss recognized her good effort, even though we have people suffering with increments and whatnot. And we have made strides in certain areas, I wont say no. But our teachers are saying, boss you didn’t recognize us, because it is the same boss. It is an animal farm type of mentality we see happening. So at the bottom we are trying to make sure we get to the front of the line. Today is the demonstration of that.”
Paul Lopez
“What happens next?”
Nadia Caliz
“We go to the table, and we engage in phase two based on what they say to us at the table.”
Paul Lopez
“So that could be the do all, end all of this.”
Nadia Caliz
“And that would be perfect for this group. We still have the CBA, we still have other issues to address under the CBA.”
Paul Lopez
“And at the end of the day, these teachers want to be in the classroom.”
Nadia Caliz
“They do and I will be quite honest with you, they do, but they believe they have not been treated with disrespect and they have to show that they do not appreciate disrespect, they do not appreciate that they are being pushed aside. The hard work they do need to be recognized. The love they have for these students and the classroom needs to be recognized. I love the letter from the prime minister saying he will work with the unions and I hope he understands what that means, because some of us all we see is blue, blue blue, red, red, red.”