Along with the Prime Minister and the unions inside the meeting were the managers of the Catholic and Anglican schools. After the meeting we spoke to Manager of Catholic Public Schools Clemente Wade who expressed cautious optimism.
Clemente Wade, General Manager - Catholic Public Schools
"We did not come up with any definite agreement. We will go back to Belize City and we will meet as general managers tomorrow morning and then we will make a statement concerning what has happened here."
Keith Swift,
Are you in support of the teachers?
Clemente Wade,
"Well general managers are never not supporting their teachers. If you mean the teachers' actions well then that will decide tomorrow morning when we meet."
Keith Swift,
Currently though are you in support of the fact that many of schools are closed right now?
Clemente Wade,
"Who wants children to be out of school? But we know there are other issues that hinge on whether children can go back to school or not."
Keith Swift,
Mr. Wade after leaving this meeting you still don't seem to be confident that a resolution has been reached.
Clemente Wade,
"Well no there wasn't a conclusion to the meeting but that's the way first meetings are."
Keith Swift,
Ms. Babb how about you on behalf of Anglican Schools?
Carol Babb, General Manager - Anglican Schools
"Whatever he says, we share the same sentiment. We have an association of general managers and we are meeting tomorrow to discuss the way forward."
Keith Swift,
What can say to parents who again want their kids to be back in school?
Clemente Wade,
"Well we haven't consulted with parents or anything. What you have gotten from parents we usually it on the news."
Keith Swift,
But what can you say to the parents because it is going on day 5 tomorrow of the strike and I am sure they want their kids back in school.
Clemente Wade,
"Well everybody is working very hard to try to get the whole thing resolved. But it is a bigger issue than just closing or opening of schools."
