November 4, 2009
Hon. Patrick Faber
Minister of Education
Ministry of Education
Belmopan
Dear Minister Faber,
Re: Remarks to the media regarding BNTU and the Teaching Service Commission, etc.
On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education,and four senior officers of his ministry (MOE), met with the Council of Management of our Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU); after which a press release was issued.
This release reflected our mutual agreement to move our education system forward in a positive and constructive way, by addressing the many and wider issues related to our Education Act and Rules and by agreeing to time-lines for further countrywide consultations and legislation.
The Council of Management of BNTU thus considers the remarks made by the Minister to certain sectors of the media as quoted below, as very unwarranted, untimely and disrespectful, especially in light of the confusions, distortions and in many cases, genuine concerns of many of our teachers and stake-holders in education.
Quote by Minister: “Whether or not we have a Teaching Services Commission is not up to the union to decide. The people of this country elected a government and if the Ministry of Education, which is the body that is to set policy, decides that we are going to have a Teaching Services Commission, then that is really what it is.”
Many of the proposed changes in our Education Act and Rules, including the proposed Teaching Service Commission, its Appeals Tribunal, School Discipline and School Safety, among others, are just being clarified and posted on the Ministry’s (MOE) website (www.moes.gov.bz), or are yet to be fleshed out.
BNTU, as an organization and partner in education, understands her role in our Belizean society and in the development of our people and country. BNTU’s agenda is about moving our education system, our people and nation forward. It’s also about transparency, accountability, productivity and social justice.
We understand that the job of the Legislature and the Executive Branch of Government is to define policies, but, in the interest of good industrial relations, and as the Education Act and Rules state, many of these policies must be done in consultation with other partners in education, including the union.
The BNTU advises the Minister of Education, in the interest of good working relations, to desist from unnecessary and disparaging words which are only counter-productive to strengthening the working relationship and addressing the many challenges in education.
In Education,
Jaime Panti
National President
BNTU