And another concern that was brought out during yesterday's press conference was that teachers living in rural areas weren't getting the allowances they needed to travel to the schools they work at. The BNTU president explained that the excuse they keep getting is that there isn't enough money to give the teachers. Today when the PM was asked about it, he explained that he believes there's a lot more important things that money is being used for.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"There are so much needs in this country. There are so many children that are not going to school, because they cannot afford it. So that is just another one and it's something that we are prepared to take a look at and if we can afford to pay it, I would happily do so. We have schools that are in such a dire state of repairs. These are the things that we have to look at. It's not only the teachers, but also the children. Our children have lost probably a year and a half and we have to be able to play catchup so that they can be able to get them ready to be able to go to the next classroom or to high school or sixth form and university. These are the things that should keep them awake. Why is it that 50% of our children don't go to high school? We need to question that. Yes, it's the parents, yes it's the government, but also the teachers. They also have to do their part. We are all in the Belize boat together. I mean if the Belize boat sinks, we sink, they sink, all of us. So we have to make sure that we could get these things right to be able to move this country forward to be able to create opportunities for all our citizens."
Reporter
"The financial demands being made by the unions are with the back drop of perhaps salary increase for judges as one example and the increase of your transport allowance as another example. More comfortable seating and accommodations on the Belize boat."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We want them to have a comfortable seating on the Belize boat, but they also have to help us to be able to get the country growing, so that then we can collect more taxes and be able to give them even more. I would wish to double their salaries, I would wish to give them more, but we can't give what we don't have."
