Early this morning, teachers in southern Belize staged roadblocks, claiming “mechanical issues,” with vehicles “breaking down” in the middle of highways in areas such as Mile 2 on George Price Drive in Dangriga and at the Independence-PG junction.
This is part of the Belize National Teachers’ Union’s (BNTU) intensified it’s industrial action as teachers continue to protest longstanding issues, including salary adjustment and unpaid salary increments.
Police were seen at the locations trying to control and de-escalate the situation.
In a standoff with police, one teacher criticised the authorities, saying, “So many times we need police officers; we call them, and we can’t get them to respond because they have mechanical problems. Well, they could have had mechanical problems this morning, but they are out here in full force from last night; they were instructed,” the teacher said. “Imagine being instructed against your own, your sister, your brother, your auntie, your wife. You are being instructed against them, and you are going to follow those instructions by the same people violating you?”
Another teacher called out government officials, questioning Prime Minister John Briceño’s decision to approve salary increases to CEOs when there were unresolved matters with teachers and public officers.
The teacher stated, “When they decided to give themselves a 15 and 18 per cent increase, they didn’t think twice; they didn’t bat an eye. When they decided to take out 10 per cent, they didn’t bat an eye. And they want to talk stupidness about we no make no sacrifice.”
The teacher went on to call out the Prime Minister, John Briceño, questioning if he even knew the meaning behind “sacrifice”, stating, “He needs to get his assessment just like us, twice a year, to see if he deserves the salary that we give him; it’s a hefty one, plus all those perks that they get. “