If you’re wondering whether teachers need to give twenty-one days’ notice before going on strike—the answer is no. Labor Commissioner Rissela Dominguez-Patt has clarified that the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act does not apply to the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). That means teachers aren’t legally required to give advance notice under that specific law. However, that doesn’t mean they can strike without any rules. According to the Labor Commissioner, the BNTU must still follow the grievance procedure outlined in their collective bargaining agreement, a contract between the union and the government that sets out how disputes should be handled. So, while teachers have more flexibility than some essential service workers, they’re still expected to follow the proper steps before walking off the job.
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
Rissela Dominquez-Patt, Labour Commissioner
“The teachers as I mentioned are only fourteen, so they do not fall under this specific legislation. They fall under a different regulation, that is why they were able to do and are able to do what they are doing. So, they don’t fall under this legislation.”
Paul Lopez
“And they have free reign to engage in their demonstration, sickouts, during lunch time picketing, whatever actions they intend to do.”
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
“Like I said they would not fall under this legislation, so they don’t have to provide that twenty-one days’ notice so that there is intervention.”
Paul Lopez
“But they did, which is not necessary.”
Rissela Dominquez-Patt
“The unions normally like to act within the legislation. So, they like to respect what is there. I think that the unions, especially the teachers union, are trying to ensure they communicate what they intend to do, but definitely they don’t fall under this legislation.”
During Wednesday’s budget debate, Prime Minister John Briceño addressed the ongoing standoff between his administration and the Belize National Teachers Union. Speaking with reporters earlier in the day, he acknowledged the tension but later struck a more personal tone during the debate’s adjournment. In a lighthearted moment, the Prime Minister said, “I love teachers so much—I married one.” The comment drew a few smiles, but the underlying issue remains serious, as negotiations between the government and the union continue.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“This government, our PUP government, we just don’t speak to our teachers, we work with them, because it is only through collaboration and shared purpose that we can fulfill our mission, ensuring that every child is equipped with the knowledge and skill to be able to contribute to nation building. I want to make something absolutely clear to the teachers and especially to the union leaders, I have history with the BNTU. My mother was a teacher, a proud member of the BNTU. I marched as a child in Belize City with the BNTU. So when I stand with them and tell them this is what I can do, it is not that I don’t want to. I would love to give them more. I love teachers so much I married a teacher, Rosana Briceño”
A bold call for accountability is echoing out of Belmopan tonight, as the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union is demanding that the government make good on its promises. In a press release issued today, the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union expressed deep disappointment with the Government of Belize for failing to follow through on a key financial commitment, one that directly affects the future of the country’s national university. The union is pointing to a 2020 pledge made by the current administration to reverse a twenty-four percent budget cut imposed by the previous government and to increase the university’s subvention over five years. But the recently unveiled 2025/2026 national budget tells a different story. The subvention remains at seven-point-six-five million dollars, falling short of the ten-million-dollar target previously promised. The UBFSU warns that without this increase, the university’s operations will continue to suffer. That could mean higher tuition fees for students at a time when many families are already struggling with the rising cost of living. While the government has expressed a desire to keep tuition affordable, the union argues that without proper funding, the university simply can’t deliver the quality education Belizeans deserve. The UBFSU is now urging the government to immediately reinstate the ten-million-dollar subvention, calling it essential not just for the university’s survival, but for the nation’s development as a whole.
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is standing firmly behind its affiliate unions, including the B.N.T.U., P.S.U., APSSM, KHMHA Workers Union, and U.B. Faculty and Staff Union, as they push back against what they call unfair treatment by the government. In a strong statement, the NTUCB says workers have every right to protest, strike, and demand better, especially when their calls for salary adjustments and the unfreezing of increments are ignored—while top officials receive hefty contracts and pay raises. The NTUCB is calling on the Briceño administration to pay KHMHA workers their overdue pensions, reinstate salary increments and provide an eight-and-a-half percent raise, and restore the University of Belize’s ten-million-dollar subvention. The union umbrella group says it’s ready to take action, warning that continued neglect will only strengthen the collective voice of Belize’s workers.
Belize is once again taking its place at the regional table, as Prime Minister John Briceño touches down in Honduras for a high-level economic summit. Today, Prime Minister Briceño arrived in Tegucigalpa to participate in the annual Meeting of Governors of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration. This key event brings together leaders from across Central America to discuss strategies for economic growth, development financing, and regional cooperation. Belize has been a member of CABEI since 2006, using the partnership to fund projects that reduce poverty, boost infrastructure, and strengthen ties with neighboring countries. The Prime Minister was warmly received by Honduras’ Third Vice President, Renato Florentino Pineda. He will be joined at tomorrow’s meeting by Cherie Nisbet, Belize’s Ambassador to Honduras. As Belize continues to navigate regional and global economic challenges, its presence at CABEI underscores a commitment to collaboration and sustainable development.
A serious incident at Belmopan Comprehensive High School has left the community shaken. On Wednesday, while teachers across the country were participating in a national sickout, students at the school were sent home early. But not everyone left campus. According to reports, a female student later returned to the school and told the vice principal and school medic that she was bleeding. At first, staff believed it was a menstrual issue and sent her to the hospital to be safe. But soon after, a family member contacted the school with a disturbing claim: the girl had been raped. Police have launched an investigation. Sources say both the alleged victim and the accused are first-form students, meaning they are both minors. Officers were seen on campus taking statements from students who may have witnessed or known about the incident. The school’s principal declined to comment, saying only that they would respond when possible. Meanwhile, the public is expressing growing concern about student safety, especially during times when schools are understaffed or unsupervised. Under Belizean law, if both individuals involved in a sexual offense are minors, the accused could face up to five years in prison. This case is still developing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
A Belize City police officer is facing serious scrutiny tonight after a video surfaced showing him firing a gun into the air in public. The officer is forty-three-year-old Richard Gillett, a resident of Dean Street and a serving member of the Belize Police Department. The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday night, on Antelope Street Extension, and was captured on video that quickly went viral. Gillett was arraigned today on a single charge of discharging a firearm in public. Initially, the charge was filed under the Firearms Act, which would have meant automatic remand to prison. However, in a twist, the charge was later amended to fall under the Summary Jurisdiction Act, allowing the court to grant bail. Magistrate Ludlow Black approved bail in the sum of one thousand dollars, with one surety of the same amount. Gillett, who appeared in court without legal representation, has since sought the services of well-known attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley. Bradley met with his client shortly after bail was posted and told reporters that he hopes the matter will be handled internally by the police department. He claims Gillett felt threatened during the incident and only fired the weapon into the air, not at anyone. Gillett is due back in court on July twenty-fourth, 2025, as the case continues to unfold. Meanwhile, questions remain about the circumstances leading up to the shooting and whether further disciplinary action will be taken.
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney-at-law
“Not every time a police make a little small mistake dehn fi tek wahn lee mole hill and turn it into a mountain. The officer didn’t point his gun at anybody, nobody was in danger. He had a reason why he did that. You can see from the video [that] somebody was coming out of the little police booth. You could hear the voices that they were being disrespectful and aggressive to the officer. Which crime he committed? A police officer has been issue with a firearm to protect himself and to protect us, it should be an administrative matter. I appreciate that the police have changed the charge sheet to charge him under the Summary Jurisdiction Act which allows the magistrate to have granted bail to him. But di man noh shoot aata nobody, nobody was in danger. He was the one who was being aggressed. He was the one who felt like, you know, so I am hoping that they would withdraw the charge and he goes to a tribunal and the matter is straightened out.”
Three well-known men from Belize City’s southside have been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being charged with promoting gang activity. The men: Jason Anderson, twenty-seven, and brothers Ervin and James Fitzgibbon, aged thirty-six and twenty-eight, were each charged separately but for the same offense. Police say the men were seen in photos displaying gang signs, with Ervin allegedly linked to the Supal Street Gang. All three pleaded not guilty in court. Because the charge falls under the Crimes Control and Criminal Justice Act, the magistrate is not allowed to grant bail. Magistrate Ludlow Black explained that only the High Court can consider bail in such cases. The men, who appeared without legal representation, were told they can apply to the High Court if they wish. Anderson told the court the photo used against him was taken in 2017 and claimed he tried to explain that to police but was still charged. The trio will remain in custody until their next court date on June sixteenth, 2025, when police are expected to present evidence in the case.
When you think of farming, you probably picture wide open fields in the countryside—but one Belize City high school is flipping that idea on its head. This morning, Sadie Vernon High School officially launched its very own aquaponics system, built right on campus by a group of second form students. And they didn’t just get their hands dirty building it, they also learned how to write formal letters to local businesses, asking for support and materials to bring their project to life. It’s a hands-on lesson in sustainability, teamwork, and real-world skills, all rolled into one. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there for the big reveal and has the full story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
This morning, Sadie Vernon officially opened its aquaponics greenhouse, marking an exciting new chapter in its academic journey. The project blends science, sustainability, and hands-on learning, giving students a chance to explore modern farming right on campus. The initiative was made possible thanks to support from the business community and the Ministry of Education, and it’s being led by English teacher Malaak Middleton along with her enthusiastic second form students. Together, they’re proving that with teamwork and vision, even a classroom can become a farm.
Malaak Middleton
Malaak Middleton, Teacher, Sadie Vernon High School
“I wanted to find a way how I could bring a little agriculture into the school setting. So when we came upon formal letter writing we wanted to use that as a vehicle to engage students in writing and also having a physical aspect to a little production that they can see how they can possible open a little small business or how they can bring it to their own communities in the end.”
Before construction began, Middleton’s students had to first engage in writing a formal letter of request to businesses within their community. Through this process they sharpened their writing skills and the response from the business community was favorable.
Malaak Middleton
“At first I had to go over the parts of that letter with them. I had to make sure that they know what the tone of the message is, what to put in that letter and we got them started on that. So we worked together to compose what we needed them to have in that letter.”
Teacher Malaak Middleton’s classroom isn’t just about theory, it’s about action. Her students didn’t just learn how to write formal letters; they used those skills to reach out to local businesses, who responded by donating the materials needed to build an aquaponics system. Instead of relaxing over their two-week Easter break, these dedicated second formers rolled up their sleeves and got to work—building the system right on their school grounds. For students like Joselin Sanchez, the experience was unforgettable. She now knows how to write professional requests and how to grow food using aquaponics.
Joselin Sanchez
Joselin Sanchez, Student, Sadie Vernon High School
“You see there is many things about an aquaponics. But, what I learned is that the waste from the fish leads from one tube to the motor and then there is another pipe that leads to the barrel that funnels the water. The water then goes to the stones. The stones release the waste and that is where the plants feeds on. And it is just a cycle that goes on and on and from the plants we can feed off and the fish can feed as well.”
Paul Lopez
“Is it not incredible that the waste that we would normally see as disgusting can help to produce our food?”
Joselin Sanchez
“It is amazing. At first I thought it was nasty, but when I come to learn about it, it is amazing. I could not believe it myself. It was kind of hard, but as I was doing it with my classmates they made it a lot more easier and it was fun as well.”
Principal Deborah Martin says the now fully operational aquaponics farming system on campus adds to the quality of education and student life offered by the high school. She believes it’s boosting both the quality of education and student life at Sadie Vernon High, giving students hands-on experience they can carry far beyond the classroom.
Deborah Martin
Deborah Martin, Principal, Sadie Vernon High School
“It is definitely helping to improve our brand here at Sadie Vernon High School and of course the quality of education. We are teaching them to focus on sustainable development and working along with their community. Because as our teacher said aquaponics is embedded in the idea of providing things for yourself and then eventually sharing it with your community.”
The school says it hopes to replicate this theory to application approach across all levels on campus. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
For many young basketball players, the dream of making it to the NBA starts with a scholarship and a shot at playing college ball in the U.S. And today, that dream came a little closer to reality for some of Belize’s rising stars. In a full-circle moment, Minister of State Devin Daly, a former professional athlete himself, has teamed up with his alma mater, Lake Superior State University, to give back in a big way. Daly invited his former coaches to Belize to scout local talent, hoping to open doors for the next generation of athletes to follow in his footsteps and maybe even surpass them. News Five’s Paul Lopez was courtside for today’s high-energy scouting session and brings us this inspiring report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Civic Center buzzed with energy as hopeful young athletes showcased their skills, knowing that a strong performance could open the door to a U.S. college scholarship, and possibly a future in professional basketball. In a powerful show of support for local talent, Minister of State for Sports, Devin Daly, brought a piece of his own journey full circle. Daly, a former collegiate athlete, invited coaches from Lake Superior State University, his alma mater, to Belize to scout for the next generation of stars.
Devin Daly
Devin Daly, Minister of State, Ministry of Sports
“It started way back when I went to this same university that coach Grace and Steve are still currently coaching at. I think it was 2019 when I was working at the Belize City Council. I kept wondering why we don’t have programs where we have coaches coming to Belize to recruit our students’ athletes. Now that I am in a position to make certain things a reality, this is my first move.”
While women’s basketball in Belize is still growing, that didn’t stop players like Bria Clarke from giving it their all. Her passion for the game shines through, proving that even in a male-dominated sport, there’s space for fearless female athletes to rise and be seen.
Bria Clarke
Bria Clarke, Basketball Athlete
“For me personally ih just wah be like getting better, because I am currently at divisions three and this is a division two school. So, for me I want to be play overseas because it is more eyes and more coaches overseas can see me.”
Then there’s Jason Orosco, a third-form student at Maude Williams High School and a rising star in Belize’s youth basketball scene. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s already made waves as part of the Under-18 National Team that made history by competing in the FIBA AmeriCup Tournament in Argentina. Now, Jason is aiming even higher. With international experience under his belt, he’s ready to take his game and his exposure to the next level.
Jason Orosco
Jason Orosco, Basketball Athlete
“I mean, I am a great young kid playing basketball in Belize. It is a great opportunity not only for me but for everyone here. Basketball in Belize is at a lower level so it is a great shoutout to honorable Devin Daly for this opportunity, not for me, but for each and everyone of us.”
Paul Lopez
“How has basketball transformed your life?”
Jason Orosco
“I am a young kid from the ghetto. I look at basketball as my getaway, so I just push myself everyday.”
We also caught up with Coach Steve Hettinga, who shared what he’s looking for in these young athletes and why he believes this opportunity could be a game-changer for their futures. Fun fact, this isn’t Hettinga’s first time in Belize. He made his first trip back in 2011, when he came to scout a young talent named Devin Daly… who’s now the Minister of State for Sports.
Steve Hettinga
Steve Hettinga, Coach, Lake Supreme State University
“My expectations are certainly like with Devin, his development over the four years, when I saw him he was so raw, we like to saw that term in basketball, very raw but talented. That is what I am expecting to see. Some of their form and how they play. I can tell they have ability but maybe they don’t have the fundamentals and the teaching that goes with it. I am looking for somebody that works hard, that is raw that has an open attitude to get better. A good student and someone that want to learn and get better.”
Devin Daly
“It is surreal. You get jitters because I lived it. You get nervous because I lived it. And of course you want to try show your best and you don’t know how you will mess up. That is why when it started I told them this is not about scoring ten free throws in a row or ten threes like Steph Curry or Devin Daly use to be. This is about showing the intangibles, having leadership quality and being that good teammate.”
Now, let’s be real—not everyone who showed up today will land a spot on a college team. But there’s good news. Minister Daly says this is just the beginning. He’s planning to bring even more scouts to Belize throughout the year to keep shining a spotlight on our homegrown talent. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
