by Rudolph A. Neal
BELIZE CITY, Wed. May 8, 2025
The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) is no ordinary union. It has existed for decades, championing the rights of teachers and issues of national importance for this country. Actually, the BNTU is considered the country’s strongest and most powerful union. And we don’t have to debate that. History is one of our greatest teachers, and we have seen the BNTU in action throughout history and of late. And speaking of history, one can vividly recall how, when this present administration was in opposition, they were known to “march” with the BNTU, promulgating purported “solidarity”, just to ride the green wave to victory.
And now that they have formed government, all of a sudden they play “figet” and turn on the BNTU and seek fervently to muzzle the union and silence them — the same union whose marches they led and postured themselves with, up front and center, hand in hand with their green shirt and false pretense of being concerned about the teachers’ welfare. And after they formed the government, they became “taigah eena yuh rear end”, forgetting the service that the BNTU did them in propelling them to victory. Old pippl had this saying, “afta service, da kick eena your bleep”. And that’s exactly the attitude that this government is portraying — hypocrites!
The BNTU and its teachers, who form this mighty union, announced a demonstration in Belmopan for Friday, May 9, and were met with opposition from the Ministry. The Ministry sent out a release to all managing authorities stating that schools are to remain open. These actions reflect subtle attempts to scare members and deter them from demonstrating. These are age-old, colonialism-like tactics to deter the masses from gathering and rising up and speaking up against purported injustices and maltreatment. It’s not much that the teachers are asking for; it’s doable. If we can afford to arbitrarily raise CEOs’ salaries and find money for fancy SUVs, you must be able to afford betterment for teachers and public officers.
The circus continues …
And at a pivotal time when the country’s unions are about to stand up against government injustices, our democracy was dealt yet another blow. The recent ruling, as it relates to His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition’s affairs, spells more trouble for our already ailing democracy. Though debatable, I strongly assert that, given the present state of disarray within the Opposition UDP, our democracy is not functioning as it should. The Opposition is so caught up in the internal drama, it’s like a never-ending novella, and they are failing miserably at their fiduciary responsibilities to provide checks and balances for the people of this country, and ensure that democracy is alive and functioning.
With the constant back and forth, talk show appearances and press conferences that only serve to cause the party to hemorrhage further, it is high time that this bunch get their act together. Not for anything, except for the sake of democracy, and so that they can serve as constitutional stewards who maintain checks and balances and ensure that the Government is carrying out their duties responsibly. Given their state of disarray, it puts greater weight on unions like BNTU and the PSU and others to lead the charge and, in part and parcel, do the work of the Opposition. With or without them, the mighty green machine will stand strong and come together in solidarity to stand up to the Government for fair wages and treatment and call out the hypocrites!
Solidarity, Forever!
Unchained Reflections Of A Liberal Pragmatist.