BNTU and MOE Kumbaya?

The Ministry of Education and the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) held a high-level meeting on Monday to address ‘pressing matters’ in the education sector. The session, chaired by Education Minister Oscar Requena, lasted from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and was described as cordial and productive.

According to the ministry, discussions focused on improving teacher support, addressing counsellor shortages, resolving delayed salary issues, and enhancing professional development systems.

Two national working groups will be convened on July 11, 2025. The first will propose criteria, terms of reference, and allowances for Heads of Departments at the secondary school level. The second will review and update Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and licensing criteria for teachers.

The Ministry outlined a phased plan to address the staffing needs for school counselors starting in the upcoming academic year. A new Certification Programme for School Counsellors, to be administered through the Teacher Learning Institute (TLI), will also launch at the start of the 2025–2026 academic year. This program will influence licensing and tenure decisions.

The ministry said that compensation for teachers covering additional classes due to shortages will remain at BZ$25 per extra hour. The Ministry and the BNTU also agreed to continue discussions on splitting classes to manage shortages at both the primary and secondary levels.

The Ministry acknowledged its responsibility in delays in teacher license processing and confirmed that it is continuing to process outstanding salary payments for affected teachers.

The MoEST provided updates on the ongoing processing of increments, allowances, appointments, confirmations, and pending salary revisions. The Ministry also shared its plans to digitize these processes for the 2025–2026 school year. These digital systems aim to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and provide real-time feedback for teachers.

As part of its commitment to capacity-building, the MoEST will continue awarding 11 tuition scholarships per cohort for in-service teachers in high-priority subject areas. The BNTU will recommend candidates and provide supporting documentation for these scholarships at local teacher education institutions.

The Ministry praised the BNTU for integrating CPD workshops into its 2025 National Convention. Teachers who participated in those workshops will be able to complete any pending CPD requirements through the TLI during July 2025.

The Ministry also presented a detailed action plan based on the Joint Statement signed in January 2025 by the MoEST, the BNTU, and school managing authorities. Progress updates were shared, and the Ministry proposed that the next Joint Stakeholder Meeting be held at the end of July 2025.