UB Faculty and Staff Union Rejects Government’s Subvention Response

The University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union (UBFSU) is not accepting the government’s response on the issue of restoring the institution’s eleven-million-dollar subvention. Last week, the Ministry of Education explained that the subvention, which sits at just above eight million dollars, was not restored once the current administration took office, because the economy was struggling. The ministry also committed that the subvention would be restored in 2025. President of the UBFSU, Dr. Pio Saqui, says that the Ministry’s response is but a promise, and right now UB needs more than that.

The Ministry also noted in its response that despite the reduced subvention, government is rolling out unprecedented financial aid for students. Saqui commended the government for assisting students but contended that the scholarships are not guaranteed to financially impact UB.

The union stressed that restoring the subvention was a promise the People’s United Party made while in opposition. The union says that it hopes UB’s board of directors is vigilant about seeking to have the subvention restored.