Ruth Shoman Steps Down Amid Scrutiny |
Tue, May 9, 2023 |
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Less than a month after her election, BNTU President Ruth Shoman resigned yesterday - which, based on our knowledge of the union's history for the past 30 years is unprecedented for an incoming president who has not yet taken office.
So why did she resign? Well, Shoman came under scrutiny for an event going back to the late 90's when - as a 24 year old - the then Ruth Guerra was charged for theft and forgery in an embezzlement case. Court records show that she later settled with the Belize Yacht Club to pay back a debt of over a hundred thousand dollars. Shoman has since said that personal circumstances forced her to do that so that she could remain with her children.
Whatever the story, that case from 25 years ago has been the rallying cry for her union colleagues on the BTNU Council of Management. They claim that she was unfit to hold the post of president.
And after a few weeks of pressure it appears that Shoman caved. And in her letter, she's blaming outgoing president Elena Smith for not standing by her.
In her letter to Smith dated May 8th, she says, "I tender my withdrawal as the newly elected National President of Belize National Teachers' Union effective immediately…certain Council members have been adamant in ensuring that they discredit me and your apparent silence enabled it to escalate which has brought great pain and suffering to my family, especially my children…I cannot continue to be a part of an organization that has principles of fairness and justice, yet the manner in which I have been treated has been unfair and unjust."
Shoman was elected by a large margin on April 13th. The BNTU now has to scramble to come up with its next move and an emergency meeting will be held tomorrow. Smith declined comment today.
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