BNTU kicks off 56th convention with call for transformative change.

Over a thousand teachers from across Belize converged today at the Belize Civic Center to kick off the 56th annual Belize National Teachers Union’s convention. Celebrated under the theme, “Standing resilient, building bridges, and united for transformative change,” the next four days will see members of the BNTU participating in a range of events from professional development workshops to pageants and a grand educational tour where teachers will visit different parts of the country to get a first-hand experience of the cultural lifestyle in the area. President of the BNTU Nadia Caliz, gave Love News a breakdown of the events planned for the coming days.

Nadia Caliz, National President, BNTU: “Tomorrow union business in the daytime, sports in the afternoon and in the night we have night market where our teachers who are entrepreneurs are out there selling their products. Those who have a particular talent can compete on the stage, singing, dancing, comedy and we have prizes for them as well. On Saturday, we have professional development workshops in the morning. That started off slow but now we have over 900 teachers registered for the CPD’s on Saturday and in the night we have Mr. BNTU and later on a dance. And we’re telling our members to buy the Combo ticket because it allows you to enter into both events. Separately they’re $20 each. Together, if you buy the combo it’s 20 for both. Sunday is the educational tour where you tour the district. We have different tours for them. Again, it is to help them to see what it is that the Belize district has to offer from a tourism perspective. Take that experience to the classroom and later on, you know, organize educational tours and take their students. That’s what we want. Our students need to know about Belize. But if our teachers don’t know, how will they know?”

This year’s gathering saw historic numbers climbing well over what was projected. The BNTU president shared with the media her sentiments of the grand showing, saying that this is a reflection of her leadership. President Caliz says she is looking forward to continue representing Belizean Teachers in the coming years.

Nadia Caliz, National President, BNTU: “We have far more members attending the BNTU Convention this year than they did last year in Punta Gorda. And I’m telling you we have over 2,000 members here. That’s a fact. Never, ever, ever have you seen this. 400, 500, maybe 600 persons coming to a convention. So we are happy for that. If you look at our team, we are standing resilient, building bridges and uniting for transformative change. And this is a part of transformative change. I am truly, truly, truly touched by the outpour of support. Because I’ll tell you how teachers behave. When they don’t feel appreciated in a space they don’t show up. So it is, from my perspective, it is clear that my leadership reflects the changes that they wanted to see. And because they have begun to see these changes, they are here. And what I want to do in the future is to continue to represent them because when I hit the table with the ministry or anybody whenever we’re negotiating, whatever I say is connected to what my membership shared with me. Because that’s why I’m here. I am their representative. So I feel good going into another two years representing them, but you know what? It’s like a leadership, right? One minute is all about you. Sometimes it’s not all about you but as long as I say truth to myself and the cause I will always be contented. Never in history unless we are getting ready to demonstrate in Belmopan. Now, this is just a convention so as a leader, I am I am pleased I’m very pleased with the numbers and I pray that we continue on this trend because they must be a part what you call the union business. This is where we make decisions about the union and this is what was lacking right ? Bringing them to the table to have a say so when we go forward we are truly truly truly united. For me that is what today is saying. That our members are ready for the change ahead.”

Nadia Caliz made mention that the convention is important as that is where the union makes their core decisions, and by having every member at the table, it makes it hassle-free for members to collectively forward and bring real change. The announcement of a new president was also to be announced today at the convention, however only Nadia was the only person to submit an application, rendering her the president for the next two years. The Convention continues tomorrow with Union discussions taking place in the morning, sporting activities around midday, and at night, will be the night market.