The Education and Training Bill, 2009 went to the National Assembly today for second and third readings leading to passage by the House of Representatives. The Bill was first tabled in the House over two months ago but discussions and consultations pre-date that by eight months. Indeed it may be one of the most widely and thoroughly discussed and debated pieces of legislation we’ve ever reported on. But even with all that – its passage by the House today was still soundly rejected by the Teachers Union. The country’s most powerful and organized union protested on Independence Hill today in an impressive, if not overwhelming show. Here’s the view from the frontline.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
The teachers started with a spirited rally at the Belmopan Civic Center. That was followed by a procession over to the National Assembly Building and as they walked they sang their famous union song.
Teachers Chanting: ‘Solidarity forever, solidarity for ever, solidarity for ever for the union makes us strong.’
At its height, the crowd was one-thousand strong – all teachers from all over and all told about a fifth of those in the profession. It was an in
impressive showing if not all together overwhelming.
Jules Vasquez,
“This big crowd, all unu come out to beat pickney? That is what the members up there are saying. How do you respond to that?”
Jaime Panti, BNTU President
“Are they teachers, they are not teachers. We are not arguing about corporal punishment to be kept. We are saying structures is what we need so that we can move forward. That is our issue, if they are distorting the issue then that is their problem. We are focused on our issue because are the ones who are always in the classroom.”
Jules Vasquez,
“You can’t change what’s going to happen Mr. Panti, its going ahead, it is going to be read, it is going to be taken through its readings, what’s next?”
Jaime Panti,
“We take a fight until the end. The members decide that and so we
will go with our process.”
Jules Vasquez,
“What is corporal punishment, I cannot it being lash pickney but it is much bigger than that?”
Endevora Jorgenson, Secretary BNTU
“I think it is bigger than that and that is one of the concerns of the teachers because when MOE did its consultation they alleged that having a child wash a wall or do a job is corporal punishment so we need to have it very very clear what the teacher has. They need to be very clear what we can and cannot do and then we need to educate parents and children because children already feel that you can’t touch me. So we have to be very cautious Jules how we move. We believe in the rights of the child, that is why we are teachers because our job as teachers is to empower children and make them great adults but at the same time there has to be respect and we need to have control in
our classrooms. Our children cannot intimidate us.”
Jules Vasquez,
“Are you all capable of issuing a consequence in terms of a national school shutdown? And do you all have a moral authority when it is a single issue subject, it is corporal punishment?”
Endevora Jorgenson,
“We are not going to close down schools. Today as our President said this is a subset of the universal set. There is a lots of things we want to come to the table to discuss and find solutions, solutions we must find.”
Jaime Panti,
“There is a level of disrespect, a level of arrogance in the way we are running our affairs and I think we need to reflect and come to the table and be genuine and be honest with ourselves. I think that is essential. From our side I think we have been very patient, we have tried our best and therefore we have to make a stand somewhere.”
And they took that stand on Independence Hill today where the BNTU demonstrated that they are nothing to play with. They openly taunted the Minister and called him out.
Teachers Chanting: ‘Faber come out. Faber come out.’
They were in a word determined.
Teachers Chanting: ‘BNTU all the way. Listen to us, now. Solidarity, forever.’
The teachers took a break for lunch and then re-convened at the Civic Center where they listened to the addresses from the Assembly floor and heckled Minister Faber when he presented the Bill for second reading.
