Will the BNTU Activate Green Machinery on Wednesday?

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) is calling on its members across the country to mobilise in large numbers on Wednesday to “formally register their discontent” with the Ministry of Education.

Speaking to members, BNTU National President Nadia Martin-Caliz stated, “Right now, we’re at the table where we need to register our discontent. You have emailed, texted, and met me personally and communicated your frustration, and you have also shared that with your branch leaders.”

She urged teachers, “We need you to come out in record-breaking numbers,” adding, “The only way we can continue is if you go out and you vote and give us the mandate, tell us the direction you want us to go… you formally register that you vote,”

Martin-Caliz revealed that teachers have raised serious concerns, including reports of being wrongly removed from the education system despite meeting licensing requirements.

According to Martin-Caliz, the union has “notified our stakeholders of the action that we are about to take.” She said that the BNTU’s next steps will depend on the response seen this Wednesday. “It is time to formally register our discontent,” she declared.

This follows a series of statements by the union after salary increases were approved for the Cabinet Secretary and chief executive officers days after the March 12 general election. The union called it a “tremendous concern,” adding, “We are now saying to you, the government of Belize, that the BTNU will be meeting with its affiliates and caucusing with its membership because we’re getting ready to take action.”