Last night, we told you about the press release which the Belize National Teachers Union sent out. They're encouraging the teachers to ignore the Ministry of Education's make up days for the strike. Instead of ending their Christmas holiday early, the BNTU is telling its members to enjoy their entire holiday as prescribed by the Handbook of Polices and Procedures for School Services of 2000.
They say that Ministry is taking on the authority of the school managements by changing the school calendar. Well, we've contacted Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber for comment, and he responded saying, quote, "Our position stands ... The issue of changing the schools' calendar when falling short of the 180 days is a matter for the managing authorities and the Chief Education Office. The decision to add additional days was made by the said two parties and so, the decision stands."
That means that as far as the Ministry is concerned, school does start on January third - while the Union is telling its members to return to school on the ninth.
So, it is shaping up to become yet another stalemate between the Ministry and the BNTU, with neither side giving ground - with parents and students stuck in the middle.
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