Public Sides with Teachers Over Traffic Protests for Pay Raise

As while teachers may soon have to appear in court, they do appear to enjoy support in the court of public opinion. Today, our newsroom took to the streets of Belize City to find out how the public viewed teachers blocking up traffic in various municipalities as part of their industrial action. The majority of the residents sided with the teachers taking things this far, to get their salary increases.

Citizen: “The teachers are talking to the government a long time but to me it seems like Mr.Briceño is not cooperating with them. Due to the fact that that is happening it’s causing a lot of chaos in the city. I guess that is the only way they believe they will get their voices heard because it seems to it that the government is putting a deaf ear onto the teachers and due to that now even us as the meat pie man we’re not making much money because school is closing and shutting down every minute.”

Citizen: “Traffick is blocked up all the time without the teachers out there so what are you trying to say ? Cost of living went up years ago and the pay hasn’t gone up. People are barely living from hand to mouth right now. So I’m with them.” 

Citizen: “I’m actually disappointed in those police because the teachers are fighting for them too because if the teachers are standing up out there for police they’re public servants just like the teachers and they will benefit. When the teachers get their 8.5 the police will get their share too so they’re supposed to be supporting. I understand they have to do their job but don’t haul and pull the people like that. To stand up and watch them out there on a side is not criminals it’s teachers we’re dealing with and this is for the Briceño office , my child is not being held hostage I will keep him home as long as the teachers need my support he will stay home.”

Citizen: “Honestly I think they should pay them their money because at the end of the day if the teachers go on strike and don’t want to teach the kids how will the kids learn ? And honestly I’ll be a grandmother soon and I want my granddaughter to be smart just like her mom so they need to pay the teachers their money. That’s wrong. Because people have bills, they have kids, they have sick ones, that is wrong. They need to give them their money.”

Amidst the outpouring of public support, there was a dissenting voice, that felt that inconveniencing others was not the way to get their point across.

Citizens: “I’m with them all the way because they’re fighting for what they’re due. Look how long the ex servicemen want their increment and they can’t get it. So it’s time for them to fight for what belongs to them.”

Citizens: “I don’t think the was the right way. The way how you do those things, address it how you’re supposed to address it but then you all are throwing off the flow of traffic for other people. Other people want to pass to go about their business. So what you think ? Those people don’t have something to do all day too ? You know ? I want the teachers to get their money, definitely I want them to get their money and get what they’re supposed to get and thing but it’s how you go about doing things.”

Citizens: “I used to be a teacher one time too and you will end up spending the money out of your own pocket because it’s not every parent has money to suffice their child to school and the teachers take out of their pocket to help these children and so I think they deserve their money. I don’t mind. I want them to block it again. We’ll have the police arrest me too along with the teachers. Give the teachers support.” 

Citizens: “Just give those people their money, it’s too long. Fight too long.”

Reporter: So you don’t mind the inconvenience that comes with traffic not being able to flow and stuff? 

Citizens: “I mean if they feel inconvenienced and they feel like causing an inconvenience then you know it makes sense in a sense you know ? Free those people, give them their money and free them.”

Many other members of the public, who did not wish to appear on camera also voiced their support for the teachers.