UBSFU Demands GOB Subvention Increase

The Briceño administration is facing fresh criticism, this time from the University of Belize’s own faculty and staff. Acting Union President Julianne Pasos is calling it like she sees it. She says the People’s United Party promised to increase government subvention to the university after the 2020 general election. But instead of more support, Pasos says the subvention is now at its lowest point ever.

 

Julianne Pasos, Acting President, UBFSU

“They promised to restore the ten million subvention and increase that by one million every year should they become the government of Belize. They have been in power since 2020 if I’m not mistaken. Ironically, the subvention of the university from 2021 to 2024 has been at its lowest at seven point six five million. Last year, the UBFSU called out the government in a press release that they put out in June, almost a year ago. The response by the then government was that it would have been irresponsible of them to increase it given the pandemic and the economic crisis we were experiencing. And we understand that. That same year, they put out a press release saying that they, and I will pull it out, it says the government of Belize and the MOECST are deeply committed to the responsible sustainable development of the University of Belize. The Ministry’s objective is to have a clear plan for the sustainable responsibility. An element of that plan is to increase the subvention to UB from the current level to Belize ten million in 2025/2026 financial budget that was presented. The budget that was presented once again indicates a seven point sixty-five million for the university with no projection for increase. Now our issue is the government keeps making promises. The subvention is not just something we are calling for, it’s something that the university needs.”