And, as part of the concession to public officers, they will work 5 fewer hours per week.
But, it was a concession made to the joint unions. So, how will it work for teachers? The PM says that has to be worked out:
Reporter
'We've seen a circular for the public service to work a fewer hours. How's that going to work for teachers?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize
"That is a part of what they are insisting. They saying since we're going to cut their salaries that they want to work less hours. I was disappointed in that, but again, trying to accommodate them as best as we possibly could, because we did not want to seem heartless, like we didn't care for them, we decided that we are going to do that and with the teachers right now Minister Fonseca and his team they are meeting with the different managements and they will have to find a way how they'd be able to accommodate that. But again, the education of our children is paramount and we need to find a way how we are going to be able to accomplish that 5 less hours but still accomplish the goal of having our children get the best possible education."
Briceno Sitting Back and Watching the UDP Circus
And while that one has to be worked out by the Minister of Education - he has no idea how the former Minister of Education Patrick Faber will work himself out of the mess he and the UDP find themselves in:
Reporter
"Can you comment on the current going-ons in the UDP? Does the PUP prefer that Faber remains the leader since he's been so dogged by domestic issues."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize
"I don't usually comment in the affairs of my opponents' party. I am sure that they will be able to find a way to go through the circus that they have created amongst themselves. meanwhile we just need to sit down and enjoy the show."
Volleyball Scholars
Tonight, the local volleyball community is celebrating the success of 2 upcoming student-athletes. That's after they were offered scholarships to play for - and study at - the Eastern Wyoming College, located in the US City of Torrington, Wyoming.
These promising volleyball athletes are Fautomata Ramirez and Gareth Bruce. Both young ladies come out of the training camp of the Stars Volleyball Club and their director, Lupita Quan. So today, the Belize Volleyball Association and representatives of the Stars Club hosted a ceremonial signing of their scholarship contract with the National Junior College Athletic Association.
They invited the press, and here's what the representatives had to say about the opportunity being afforded to Ramirez and Bruce:
The scholarship covers all of their educational expenses, including tuition, books, school fees, room, and board.
US VP Tours
US Vice President Kamala Harris is on a Central American swing - but don't expect to see her popping up at the PGIA. She's going to Guatemala and Mexico - part of the Biden Administration's plan to stem the flow of immigrants showing up at America's southern border.
The VP is expected to meet with leaders, community organizers, and entrepreneurs to demonstrate why the 2 nations are key to addressing the migration issue. Press reports say that while she is on her visit, the Biden administration will announce actions to fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking and anti-corruption measures.
American press reports say that part of the strategy to decrease interest in migration in the US is to create better living conditions and economic opportunities for the people in the region, through investment. 12 US companies and organizations have given their commitment to invest in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Last month, the Vice President also announced that the US would invest 310 million dollars in new funds for humanitarian relief in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Notably, there is no mention of Belize, whose population is much smaller than our Central American neighbours, but is a country prone to the same violence related to the narco trade - trafficked through these countries towards North America.
Belizean Footballers Lost
Last Friday night, Belizean football fans tuned in online to the match between Belize's National Team, the Jaguars, and the Nicaragua National Team.
Belize was looking for a win against Nicaragua so that there would still be a chance of making it to the next round of the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. But Nicaragua slammed that door shut when they defeated team Belize with a score of 3 to zero.
Shortly after the match was concluded, the Football Federation of Belize commented publicly saying, quote, "While the outcome was not favorable for Team Belize, we are certain that the experience and exposure given to our younger players will prove fruitful in the very near future… Thank you Jaguars for representing us with Pride!" End quote.
