Minister Requena Takes Aim at School Managements

The outgoing Minister of Education, Oscar Requena, has addressed recent criticisms as he prepares to return to the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, and Local Government following the recent cabinet reshuffle.

Requena firmly rejected claims that he had disparaged teachers, stressing his respect for the profession. “I have always been respectful of our teachers, myself being a teacher. I have the utmost greatest respect for our teachers.  I understand the challenges and the difficulties they go through on a daily basis.”

He also defended his handling of teacher salary delays, insisting that information was not misrepresented and that the ministry is working in good faith with unions. “First of all, I want to say that there was no information that was misconstrued to me. I stand by the interview that I did,” he said.

While acknowledging that payment delays have occurred, he said they were largely beyond the ministry’s control. “Many of these issues are reoccurring perennial issues that our teachers have been facing,” he explained. He added that meetings have been held with the Accountant General, the Treasury Department, and the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) to address the matter. “Yes, there are issues that the payment, salaries or allowances for teachers were delayed, but really and truly they were beyond the ministry because many of these issues, and I have to say this because these are reoccurring, perennial issues.” 

Requena then took aim at school managements. He said, “These are issues that have to do a lot with management. Managements have not been doing their duties in terms of submitting information on a timely basis to the Ministry of Education…forwarding on to the Treasury Department to be able to process their salaries.” 

Earlier this month, BNTU President Nadia Caliz threatened industrial action over ‘missing’ salaries. When asked about it, Requena said, “Industrial action is not a matter that is on the table right now because we have addressed this matter.” 

According to Requena, ministry representatives have met “countless” times with the BNTU leadership, and discussions have been advanced. 

On his reassignment, Requena expressed his readiness to serve wherever directed. “We serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister in terms of which portfolio we are assigned to,” he said.