Excelsior High School as we know will be no more as of September. Government announced last month that while the school will remain open it will be converted from a 4 year high school into a 2 or 3 year preparatory school.
And while the Ministry of Education has unveiled its future plan for the school, it didn't indicate what would happen to Excelsior's 13 teachers. That was up until Friday when Chief Education Officer Maud Hyde and her Deputy met with the school's staff. The staff members were basically told that if they wanted to work at the new Excelsior Prep School, they'd have to apply for a job just like everyone else.
That is easier said than done and in fact it was downright offensive to teachers - many who have spent an average of 15 to 20 years at Excelsior. That was Friday and today the teachers took it to the Belize National Teacher's Union. None of the teachers would talk to us on camera fearing reprisal but Teacher's Union President Anthony Fuentes and Administrative Secretary George Frazer called on the Ministry of Education to come clean.
Anthony Fuentes, BNTU President
"As was indicated by the teachers right now they felt that they do not have a job right now."
George Frazer, BNTU Administrative Secretary
"We understand that Excelsior will be changed now into a 2 or 3 year vocational type institution. I understand from the teachers, they were saying that many of their records and personnel files for all these years, some of them have been teaching for 10, 15, and 20 and more years, and some of their records are not there. Everybody has to apply over and some of them, many of them, are concerned about their jobs. Some of these people have their qualifications, even Master's Degree and the concern is there.
The plan is not clear cut. These people are professionals. I understand there are 17 or more people on staff, both teaching and non-teaching, and they are saying they will only need about 7 of them. So these people are concerned about their jobs. Where is the security of tenure? Where is the respect?
They are rushing things and telling them that by Wednesday they want all of them to apply over, get their records put together, and this is not right. They were supposed to have met months ago and they've waited until now. I understand they plan to have a meeting with the parents on Wednesday. They are members of the union, many of them are hardworking professionals, and we are demanding a meeting. I've already spoken with a senior officer of the Ministry to request a meeting because we have to look at the interest of both our teachers and the students."
Chief Education Officer Maud Hyde says that the teachers have to re-apply because they the school will no longer be run by their former employer, which was community board. She says the existing teachers will be given the first opportunity to interview but made no guarantees. Apart from acting as a prep school, it is envisioned that Excelsior will also offer adult and continuing education at night.