For the past two nights we've been reporting on the dispute on when school should resume after the Christmas holidays. The teachers union says it should start on the 9th January as per normal, and the ministry and school managements say it should be on the third to make up for days lost due to strike. Well, the Roman Catholic Bishop have written to the teacher's union president. This time, the Catholics are telling the union to get back to school on January third, The letter, signed by both Bishops Glancey and Wright says that the plan to return to school on the third is reasonable, and it avoids extending the school year into July.
The letter notes that that the Catholics supported the teachers in the labor and good governance issues that they fought for, and adds that teachers have said they are willing to make up the time. But, the Bishops are against extending the school day after 3:30, because it would quote "overly tax children beyond their limits to pay attention," end quote.
The letter closes by saying, quote, "we appeal to the Belize National Teachers Union to put the interest of the children first and to work the days set by the unanimous agreement of the managers in dialogue with…the Ministry of Education."
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