Government Stands Firm Behind UB Allocated Funds

Recently, the Briceño administration committed to increasing the university’s subvention by one-point-one million dollars, but that still falls short of what the faculty and staff have been demanding. The University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union says the increase is nearly a decade overdue and still one-point-three million dollars shy of what’s needed. The government, however, maintains that UB is already getting enough support through other channels. Today, we spoke with P.U.P. Chairman Henry Charles Usher, who doubled down on that position and explained why the current approach, in their view, is justified.

 

Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, People’s United Party 

“The question that should be asked is what total is the government giving to UB? Because in addition to the subvention. Government is providing assistance to students, which goes directly to the University of Belize’s account. I think the last fiscal year, the assistance totaled five million or close to five million. So in reality, it was close to  twelve point five million which was what the University of Belize was receiving directly from the government, of least being the subvention and the assistance to students. The increase of the subvention does not affect the assistance to the students, so you will see an increase their  there as well. Not an increase. Total, the total amount will be increased. So certainly that is where we have to look at.”