Education Minister Responds to Teachers’ Planned Demonstration

Education Minister, Oscar Requena, has weighed in on the teachers’ plan to demonstrate on Friday in Belmopan.  The minister notes that he does intend to dialogue with the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) but until then, he respects freedom of speech and expressions from the teachers.

Oscar Requena, Minister of Education: “We have been reaching out to the unions. I have not personally met with the leadership, but we have been communicating with them.  We have provided support for teachers and the union, particularly when they had  their annual convention. And we intend to continue this discussion and dialogue. We understand and appreciate the work that our teachers do across this country. We know that they play a very important role in educating our children, in certainly preparing our young people for the future of this country. And we know that there are certain challenges that our teachers are faced with. I want to say though that our government has always maintained a very healthy, respectful dialogue with our teachers. We have every intention to continue to do so. We know that at this moment there are some concerns and issues on the table. And I’m certain that as a government we will certainly discuss this and we will have to bring our teachers to the table to continue the dialogue and see how best we can support them and address the issues.”

Reporter: Were you disappointed when you found out that there would be demonstrating in Belmopan on Friday? 
Oscar Requena, Minister of Education:“Let me say it to you we have always been very respectful of our teachers and we know that our teachers like all Belizeans have certain rights. They have a right to voice their concerns. They have a right  to express how they feel about certain situations and no, not at all. I must say that as Belizeans we have to be respectful of each other and one way of certainly promoting our democracy is the right  to free speech, the right to be able to voice how you feel about certain things.  And at the end of the day, we’re partners, we’re colleagues in this business of education, so we have to work together.”

The union will be demonstration at the inaugural sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate on Friday.