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The Teachers Services Commission – it has already been approved by Cabinet and will be tabled in the House of Representatives in January. But it is still facing opposition from some teachers. And that’s why this afternoon school was called off – and Education Minister Patrick Faber and his entire senior staff which included his CEO, his Chief Education Officer and the two deputy Chief Education Officers met with hundreds of Belize City teachers at the Parish Hall. And while tempers did flare at times, it was mostly civil. Here are some highlights.

Teacher #1,
“When I looked at it I had a chance to glance at it and I see throughout the paragraphs that I looked at, the Minister may this, the Minister may that, and indeed taking away the authority of the schools in the sense that they are not authority, they will manage but now they are not the only management authority in hiring, firing, and transfers, that is taking away a lot of the authority of the churches and passing it seemingly into the hands of the Minister as such or you are saying the commission. And that as I said I take a little bit of issue with.”

Teacher #2,
“I do think that our union has a responsibility to educate teachers. I accept what you have said and what sister has said and I do think that the Ministry has done their part. So I have no issue with you. But I would have liked the union to do differently. We trust this is for our best interest and that is why we are willing to participate in it.”

Jaime Panti, BNTU President
“We have to take responsibility also, it is not only the union. I want to make it very clear. It is hardly impossible to provide one document to each member. We leave it to the branches for them to decide how they are going to distribute but we also encourage our members to do their share also.”

Teacher #3,
“I heard the presenter say that the purpose of the Teaching Services Commission for recruiting and disciplining teachers and to make sure the best qualified teachers are in place. So I want to offer my self as the first case for the commission whenever it takes effect.

What I have comprehended or the conclusion that I’ve drawn is that the Teaching Services Commission in effect renders all boards of management, general managers, even the union null and void. So I want to know what is it that it offers for the teachers.”

Teacher #4,
“You said that the Minister will put himself in a position where his actions, his behaviour in regards to the Commission will not seem inappropriate therefore the commission will have full control. So then, it begs the question, who will the commission answer? Two, as I listen to you it made me think what then will be the purpose of the management.”

Teacher #5,
“Well maybe he has his mind made up but we can change what is in black and white. We have to put the changes that we want in black and white and take it to the House Committee. This is not a call in talk show, we must, and you said the one about tertiary students having a member, excellent – it has to be in black and white and taken to the House Committee. That is how we will get satisfaction from all of this. That is the only way we can get satisfaction from this right now.”

Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
“I think I made it quite clear that I am also willingly to at the time of this bill going back to the House at the time of the second reading to make further changes if I see it necessary.”

Teacher #6,
“I trust the wisdom and the leadership of my church and they will have a lot of influence in my final decision as to how this goes or whether I ride with it or not. But I want to say to you that we pray for you everyday Minister, we at St. Ignatius School, and I want to ask you to do the same because you have been put in a very important position of leadership for this country and whatever your decision is needs to be guided by God or else you will put a big wreck on this country and education and youths. So that is my final word.”

The consultations will continue in all districts but again no amendments will be made to the bill. The sessions are only consultations and this afternoon teachers were advised to lobby their area representatives for any changes they would want made to the bill.