Teachers Demand Wage Increase Ahead of Budget Presentation

As the House of Representatives prepares for its ceremonial opening on Friday, the 2025 fiscal year budget remains unpresented. Despite this delay, teachers are demanding a minimum wage adjustment, and an eight-point-five percent salary increase. However, it seems unlikely that the Briceno administration will meet these demands. Chief Executive Officer Dian Maheia confirmed today that most of the Ministry of Education’s funds will go towards paying teachers. This comes as the Belize National Teachers Union continues to advocate for better compensation amid ongoing financial uncertainties.

 

Dian Maheia, C.E.O., Ministry of Education

“The work of putting together a budget has been done for the new fiscal year. I can tell you that the 2025/2026 cost for wages, for pensions, for transferring public officers is $787 million dollars. Over eighty percent of the budget of the Ministry of Education is already committed to salaries. This is not an easy ask and this is not an ask that can be answered by the Ministry of Education.”