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Two announced dates for the resumption of classes

By on January 2, 2017
Ministry of Education Press Release

Ministry of Education Press Release

San Ignacio, CAYO. Monday, January 2, 2017. Classes are to resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 according to the Ministry of Education, (MOE).

But the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) says that “our children and teachers deserve and are entitled to their three weeks Christmas vacation.”

Using the Education Rules as their guide, the BNTU says classes are to resume on Monday, January 9, 2017.

A statement from the MOE put out just before the New Year said that “school bus runs will be opening from this date” meaning, Tuesday, January 3.

At the heart of the back and forth between the BNTU and the MOE is the 11-day strike last October by teachers and the government’s declared intention to make up for those lost days by adjusting the school calendar as per Rule 130 of the Education Rules, 2000.

BNTU press release

BNTU press release

That rule stipulates that there should be “no less than 180 school days during a school year.”

The BNTU maintains, as per the Education Rules that any special arrangements to make up for the lost school days should be made by the school and not the Ministry of Education.

BNTU in a press release of its own seeking to clear up the confusion says that “we are becoming concerned and tired of the managements who believe that our teachers are pawns.”

The BNTU says it wants to be included in any discussion aimed at resolving the issue of the making up of days to offset those lost due to the strike action.

“We believe that our school managers and NOT the Ministry of Education should plan alongside its teachers and implement that make up time,” concludes the BNTU press release.

So there are two dates for the resumption of classes and both sides, the BNTU one one side and the Ministry of Education on the other, are holding fast to their respective positions.

What will parents do on Tuesday?  We’ll just have to wait and see.

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