Tonight, the Minister of Education can claim a modest victory in a tussle with the Benque Viejo branch of the BNTU. They took a resolution to say that neither they nor their students would participate in the Children's Rally on the 15th because the date coincides with Guatemala's independence - and to March on that day has other implications in that western border town.
But the Minister of Education called it all just politics and today he said with some satisfaction that there was a parade in Benque.
Reporter
"And then you said that you've gotten pictures from all over? Did Benque March today?"
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"Benque I haven't seen any yet but I am told that there was a march in Benque."
Reporter-
"So they did not abide by the BNTU?"
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"Well that was one school it had come down to one school Mopan Tech kinda taking a stand but my understanding is, as I have said I haven't seen any official pictures as yet but my understanding is other schools carried out the official ceremonies."
"You know and it's a violation of the education rules. I want to make that clear the education rules state very specifically I think that its section 40, that teachers are to participate in civic ceremonies, civic public ceremonies honoring and celebrating our nation. That is a requirement under the education act so you know as I said today is a day of celebration and positive energy but I think certainly as I said yesterday im very disappointed in BNTU Benque Branch and i'm glad that the national branch of the BNTU i spoke to the acting president and you know they said that they didn't know anything about it and that they are distancing themselves from that decision."
We did see a letter from Mount Carmel Primary saying that they would also not parade but they would be sending their pre-school students and the school cheerleaders.
