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Daniel Ortiz reporting
About 675 teachers from the Belize District Branch and their supporters from the political sphere and regular life paraded through the principal streets of the city, briefly commanding the attention of onlookers as they passed by in their second major demonstration in 2 weeks.

They marched for about an hour from the Constitution Park to the BTL Park, for a quick round of presentations from their chosen speakers.

At its start, it resembled a lively praise and worship celebration.

And the teachers received it well. It has been a long 4 days where they have been put on blast being out of classes. Not to mention, enduring a pay cut for their defiant stance in the name of good governance is expected to hurt substantially.

Hon. Mark Lizarraga - Business Senator
"I would personally like to thank the teachers for making this sacrifice. what they are doing is valiant and bold to be respected and admired that they are will to take pay cut and it's a substantial pay cut. I heard some big numbers being discussed on some talk show this morning."

Kathleen E.B. Flowers - President, BNTU Belize City Branch
"it's going to be varied because we have a range of pay scales on which teachers get paid, but averagely it's going to range from anywhere from $38 or so to $102-$110. Each branch is being asked per day to do an exercise with their teachers as well. I know today Belize branch is doing that exercise with teachers so we show them realistically what they are looking at."

Hon. Mark Lizarraga - Business Senator
"I would personally like to send out my congratulations and sincere admiration to those teachers that has taken a stand for something that the business community has been calling for for a long time. I think that any right minded person would not find objection to the call for good governance, transparency and accountability."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"We see you out here, why is it important to you personally?"

Hon. Cordel Hyde - Supporting the Teachers
"If you're a parent you have to, if you're a Belizean you have to. The issues that the teachers are fighting for is not just for them but for all Belizeans and we have a responsibility to support them. They've made this gigantic step of staying away from classes, absorbing all kinds of challenges. The government has thrown the kitchen sink and the dog at them. The government has been divisive, getting the other unions against the BNTU, the Papal Nuncio and sister Barbara against Bishop Wright and the catholic teachers and principals, they're own people against the teachers. We have to stand with them, we have to be here, because if you really think about it, the government isn't listening to the teachers, they're really not, because what the teachers are asking for is not rocket science."

So, it's while been almost a weeklong, bruising battle for the BNTU demands, caught in the crossfire are the parents, whose children are home where no meaningful education is taking place. So how much longer until the strike ends?

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Those members in the public who say 'yes teachers I hear your message its now 4 days though, tomorrow will be 5."

Kathleen Flowers, Belize City Branch Rep.
"The only way we can keep the public on our side is by showing them that the sacrifice we are making is not a selfish one, we are doing this for our nation and we have to ask them to stand strong with us. We as BNTU and the members who make up BNTU are not irresponsible people. we will be sure to make sure whatever ground we have lost is covered in some way, shape or form except that we are encouraging our me members to make sure that they initiate, cultivate and activate that make up work, that make up adjustment for the period we're out on industrial action at the respective schools."

Hon. Cordel Hyde - Supporting the Teachers
"What is clear over the last month and change is that people understand that you are not going to get the government to do the right thing if you are not prepared to agitate, if you are not prepared to protest, if you are not prepared to go as far as we've been going, because power can concedes nothing without a demand. It didn't happen in our time and it's not happening now. You have to be prepared to go the extra mile."

Kathleen Flowers, Belize City Branch Rep.
"Each branch is reporting that not only are there more teachers coming on board, but the community if opening its arms and welcoming the actions that we are doing. So today these demonstrations was a sort of litmus test to see to what extent do we have the community support? As I look around at BTL Park I see the green shirts being worn by the teachers but I see the community members also being a part of our actions."

At around 2 p.m., the Belize District teachers held a meeting to cast their vote on what action will be taken next week. The Council of Management for the entire Union will meet tomorrow to hear form all district branches, and that's when we'll be able to tell you if the school shutdown continues next week.