By Belize Live News Staff: The University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union (UBFSU) is reacting to news that the government has raised the institution’s subvention to $8.7 million—a $1.1 million bump from last year. But the union says it still falls short of what was promised and what is needed.
UBFSU had been demanding the full restoration of a $10 million annual subvention, a figure that existed before the pandemic and economic downturn. The union made its most recent push in front of the Prime Minister’s Office on Cabinet Day, signaling frustration with delays and what it called broken promises.
UBFSU’s acting president Julianne Pasos recalled that the Ministry of Education and the government had committed to gradually increasing the subvention over time. However, from 2021 to 2024, the amount remained below $7.7 million, sparking criticism and concern.
A recent budget document projects the $10 million figure might be reached by 2025/2026, but union leaders say that’s not soon enough. “The subvention is not just something we are calling for, it’s something the university needs,” Pasos emphasized.
The union is now waiting to see if this partial increase will be enough to address critical shortfalls—or if more protests lie ahead.
