From there our team moved on to Corozal, where teachers marched in unity. The issues are the same, and so was the message. Mike Rudon has the story.
Mike Rudon, Reporting
Teachers from all schools in the Corozal District marched today in solidarity with their union. It is a sign of their discontent, shared with colleagues countrywide, with the current commitment by government of a salary adjustment this year. The commitment has been made verbally, but like those who marched in Orange Walk this morning, these teachers need something concrete, and until they get it, they’re not happy.
Mayet Castillo, Vice President, B.N.T.U. Corozal
Mayet Castillo
“What we are saying is that we are dissatisfied with what the government is doing. Many times they say that we are a partner in education. Yet they forget when it is their decision to do, to consult B.N.T.U. The consultation that should have been done wasn’t done. Yet they believe that we should just fold our arms and say it is okay.”
Zeni Perdomo, Teacher, Corozal Community College
“It’s more than a salary adjustment, you know. I think this is long overdue. I think we’ve had too much patience. I think the wrong thing that we have done is waited so long, and we are now taking it district by district so that we give a message that, you know, we’re all together. We have at least, I’ll be honest with you, ninety-five percent of our teachers turning up out here.”
And those teachers are determined that this will only be the beginning. Despite politically instigated slurs cast their way because school will be closed during these peaceful rallies, they will not be moved.
Mayet Castillo
“It is the beginning, for them to see that all teachers…and I must emphasize that Corozal, most of the time, is very quiet. Most of the time we take things and we swallow it. But this time teachers have had enough and they have decided to come out in numbers and show their dissatisfaction with what our government is doing. This is nothing political. We have teachers from both political parties here, but we are not thinking politics. We are thinking our bread and butter.”
Zeni Perdomo
“We are all leaders, and we have to teach our children the same way we teach them manners, we have to teach them civics. We have to teach them to stand up for what is right. We have to teach them to fight against injustice and against corruption, and that is exactly what we are doing here today. How could I go into my classroom and tell my students that they have to stand up for what is right, and then they don’t see me doing it. Our students live and learn by example, and we are teachers. We are their role models.”
Zeni Perdomo
The teachers are focused on the way forward, but it was important to respond to comments aimed their way by Minister of Education Patrick Faber on a morning show today.
Zeni Perdomo
“We do have sense. You know, this morning I was listening to a radio show where the Minister was, and he says that he knows that some sensible teachers know that what we’re doing is not what we should be doing. I think all the teachers are sensible, and I think they’re now opening their eyes that unity brings strength, and that is what we want.”
Reporter
“The Minister insinuated on that same show that teachers are ungrateful…”
Zeni Perdomo
“Well he also said that but he also has to remember 2005 when many teachers stood up for him, so we are not ungrateful. Maybe he is the one that is ungrateful to us…for our hard work, because we work hard. We do it for our students and we do it wholeheartedly.”
The next peaceful demonstration and rally is planned for this coming Friday in Belize City. Mike Rudon for News Five.
In Corozal, the B.N.T.U. says it had ninety-five percent turnout of teachers, while in Orange Walk, it exceeded fifty percent.
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