Education Minister Addresses BNTU’s Demand for Unpaid Allowances
Minister of Education Francis Fonseca addressed the Belize National Teachers’ Union’s (BNTU) demands for unpaid increments and allowances. Minister Fonseca acknowledged the frustration surrounding the issue. He stated, “It’s obviously… it’s a frustrating issue. And as I have repeatedly said to the BNTU, everyone at the Ministry of Education, in fact, everyone in the government of Belize, is committed to resolving this matter.”
He said, “This is a matter that goes back to 2018. Our government, our Ministry of Education, working along with the Treasury Department and the Accountant General, have brought all of that from 2018 up to 2023. So what we’re dealing with now is 2023 and the current year, trying to deal with those issues.”
Fonseca reassured the public that significant progress had been made, stating, “We’ve almost resolved everything for 2023. So there are other issues in terms of 2024, but we are working tirelessly. Everyone is working, and BNTU knows this because we have the meetings with them to discuss this matter.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring teachers receive what is owed to them, adding, “Obviously, we know that teachers want and deserve their increments, their allowances. So everybody’s focused on getting it accomplished, and we certainly hope that it will be resolved at the earliest possible time.”
When asked about the union’s request for tax-free retroactive payments, Fonseca replied, “I don’t know. I don’t want to speak on that because that’s something I would have to discuss with the Ministry of Finance. They’re the ones who would have to make that decision. But I’m certainly willing to have that conversation.”
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