The BLTO, the union that represents teachers from the technical schools, reportedly adjusted its strike but made it clear that things have not returned to normal. A teacher who is a member of the BLTO explained that the lessons are concluded at 10 a.m. in the morning and at 19:30 at night. The students will take the school exams which were cancelled due to the strike. School principals explained that the lessons have been shortened so that the students can attend as many classes as possible.

“It is not ideal but we try to get the most out of it for the students,” said one of the principals. The students reportedly have mixed feelings about the new situation. Many are not content with the current situation but expressed relief over the fact that they can go back to school and that they can take their tests. “It is better than nothing. We only hope that this will be resolved soon,” said a student. The union decided to tone down the strike after President Jennifer Simons had publicly acknowledged that the BLTO has a point and that there are serious and structural problems within the vocational education sector. The next step of the union will be determined by the decisions that are made by the government.

Meanwhile teachers keep complaining about the financial issues. Several teachers confirmed that they received payment for October, November and December. But not all of the teachers have received their money which is why the BLTO will not opt for a complete normalization of the situation. The BLTO is sticking to its demands. It wants head of the Bureau for Vocational Education to be replaced and for a team that can implement reforms to be appointed. “This is the first step but certainly not the final destination. Without real changes the future of vocational education remains uncertain,” said a teacher on behalf of the union.