Teachers Want Transport Allowance Since the PM Got an Increment in His

Teachers are also requesting transport allowances to be given to teachers of secondary schools who travel to rural areas for work. In the wake of Prime Minister, John Briceño’s transport allowance being bumped up by almost three hundred percent, the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) thinks it is fair for teachers to be given this type of assistance as well. When presented with this question today, PM Briceño once again stated the reason why he receives a transport allowance for the use of his personal vehicle is that it is less taxing on GOB than if the government were to purchase a vehicle for him to conduct official work.

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “On the issue of paying or allowances for teachers that are traveling there are so many needs in this country, there are so many children that are not going to school because they can’t afford it so that is just another one and it’s something that we’re prepared to take a look at and if we can afford to pay it I would happily do so but we have others. We have schools that are in such a dire state of repairs, these are the things 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 catch up so that they can be able to get them ready to go to the next classroom or to high school or sixth form and university. These are the things that should keep them awake. How is it or why is it that 50% of our children don’t go to highschool ? And we need to question that. Yes it’s the parent, yes it’s the government but also the teachers they also have to do their part. We’re all in the Belize boat together. Well we want them to have a comfortable seating on the Belize boat but they also have help us to be able to get the country growing so that then we can collect more taxes and to 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 and as to the issue of the vehicle they have beat that to death the point is that what we’re doing right now I’m saving the government money. If the government were to buy my vehicle for me, and if the government then to pay to change my tires, pay to change the oil, pay to fix the vehicle it’s going to cost a lot more than what I’m being given as allowance. If it will make them happy and want the government to buy me a vehicle and so that’s far by me. The thing is I am a very active Prime Minister. I’m on the road almost every single day. I do not stay in my home town. The previous Prime Minister for whatever reason most of the time he was in Belize City. I’m in the Toledo District, I’m in Stann Creek, I’m all over seeing the work that we’ve been listening to the people, seeing what are the challenges that we have and then if I have to call out a minister and say guys I went in such an area this is happening. So I am active, I need a good vehicle to be able to travel. I understand what they say and I don’t begrudge them with whatever they would like to say.”