BNTU President: “Teachers are becoming discouraged,” leaving classrooms

By Zoila Palma:  Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) President Nadia Caliz is raising concerns over what she says are growing challenges affecting teachers, including educators leaving classrooms, unclear employment status and delays in professional licensing.

Caliz says these issues are contributing to frustration and discouragement among teachers across the education system.

Caliz explained that more teachers are leaving classroom positions and applying for Participate Learning but their existing posts remain available. She said some new teachers are then brought in under temporary employment arrangements without being properly informed of their status. “When you come in, you come in on what you call temporary employment,” Caliz said, adding that some teachers only discover they are not in full-time positions when they seek leave, benefits or appointment.

The BNTU president also criticized delays in the processing and renewal of teachers’ licenses. According to Caliz, some educators have been forced to leave their classrooms because their licenses were not issued on time, despite the delays being outside the teachers’ control. “What kind of nonsense is that?” she said.

Caliz also called on school managers to engage more closely with the union. She said the BNTU has made multiple attempts to meet with major school managements, including government, Catholic and Methodist schools, but some general managers did not attend. “It’s important that we meet, it’s important that we discuss,” she said.

The BNTU president further pushed back against accusations that the union is biased, saying the organization seeks to hear management’s side before raising concerns. “We come to you to get your side,” Caliz said.

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