President of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), Nadia Caliz, has responded to the directive from the Ministry of Education (MOE) that all schools are to remain open on Friday, 9 May, despite the union’s planned national demonstration in Belmopan.
In a live statement, Caliz acknowledged the Ministry’s legal authority, saying, “The Ministry is within its constitutional right; that memo speaks to keeping the schools open; nothing is wrong with that. That comes out every single time we decide to demonstrate or strike, whatever it is; that’s their right.”
She pointed to what she described as the memo’s underlying intent: “The other part of that memo is this, which you all understand. The indirect aspect of this is to reduce the BNTU’s numbers on Friday; that is up to you, to you, the membership.”
Caliz reminded teachers of their responsibility to notify parents in advance if they plan to join the protest, stating that teachers” “do not have the legal authority to not school, and there will be no classes.”
“You got to be prepared to take the stand that you voted for,” Caliz said to members and added that the teachers must be prepared to make some sacrifices, including a possible pay cut for the day.
To the ministry working along with school managements, Caliz Mek we put our efforts together to improve the system. Right now, what I know as a leader is that my members are tired; they’re frustrated.”