Minister of Education Patrick Faber today confirmed to 7NEWS today that Maud Hyde is no longer the Chief Education Officer. She has been replaced with veteran educator Christopher Aird, a former principal and teacher in Cayo. Faber says Hyde left on good terms.

Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
“The old chief has not been fired, she has moved on to a position at the University of Belize. I believe she has taken up that position already and we have a new chief indeed. And it is just that we thought we needed new and vibrant people in the Ministry of Education. I wanted a team of people who would signal to the Belizean people that we are going to move education to a higher and different level in this country.”

Keith Swift,
Did she leave voluntarily?

Hon. Patrick Faber,
“Yes she opted for early retirement and then we sat down to dialogue and agreed on the position at the University of Belize. We approached the President about that position and she accepted it, yes.”

Keith Swift,
Who is the new Chief Education Officer?

Hon. Patrick Faber,
“The new Chief Education Officer, and you’re pre-empting us because we hope to have an official launch if you will of the new people in the Ministry, is Mr. Chris Aird, formerly of the Sacred Heart College in the Cayo District and in addition we have an additional Deputy Chief that will be coming on September 1st. She is Mrs. Carol Babb and there are other changes in the Ministry that have occurred that again at a later date we will disclose in an official capacity.”

Hyde has already taken up a position at UB and Christopher Aird has assumed office. Carol Babb will be one of Aird’s two deputies. Alan Genitty is the other.