New Education Minister Oscar Requena says he fully recognizes the vital role teachers play in building the nation. His comments come as educators push for an eight-and-a-half percent salary adjustment. So far, Cabinet has only approved a three percent raise, set to take effect in October 2025. While the Belize National Teachers Union has yet to respond formally, Requena says he’s committed to open, good-faith dialogue in hopes of reaching a fair agreement.
Oscar Requena
Oscar Requena, Minister of Education
“On the matter of teachers, I want to say and reiterate that this ministry of education and our government fully supports, respects and appreciates and values the great work of our teachers across this country. We know that our teachers are important partners in development and education. It is only through education that we can truly develop this nation. That is why we value our teachers. I want to say I support the presentation made by our deputy prime ministers in terms of the proposals made to our teachers and public servants. Rest assured that we understand the very important duty of our teachers and public servants and we will continue to endeavor to work with our teachers and public servants in good faith, so that together we can arrive at some meaningful consensus on how we can move forward, understanding that as a government we have a responsibility to the good for the wider nation. But we also have responsibility to them and the great work they do.”
There’s a wave of empowerment rising in Southern Belize. In the villages of Gales Point and Mullins River, residents are turning opportunity into action. This week, sixty Belizeans proudly completed a skills training program designed to boost livelihoods and open new doors, part of a major initiative tied to the Coastal Plain Highway Project. With support from BELTRAIDE and several international and local partners, these communities are proving that when opportunity knocks, they’re ready to answer. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the story from Gales Point.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Livelihood Strategic Action Plan aims to build economic resilience and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in Gales Point Village and Mullins River Village. This week, fifty-nine villagers proudly completed an entrepreneurial development training program, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to launch and grow their own businesses. But that’s not all, BELTRAIDE, the agency leading the charge, has been working together with the community to formalize and register a total of eighty micro and small enterprises.
Ishmael Quiroz
Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director, BELTRAIDE
“BELTRAIDE for its part has been tremendously honored to be the lead agency in the entrepreneurial development component of this project, which focuses on the formalization of businesses, capacity building and increasing market access, and what these things speak to is helping you to register your businesses, register your business names because they are yours and they’re sacred and special, and we’re giving you that security capacity, building through the training, through the knowledge, through the refreshers that you’ve heard during the lessons, and of course increasing market access, helping you to be able to get to your clients, to your customers, and to retain them.”
When communities are given the right tools, they don’t just survive, they thrive. That’s the vision behind the Belize Social Investment Fund’s latest efforts. By backing initiatives that build stronger local economies and support self-reliance, SIF is helping to lay the foundation for long-term success in villages across the country.
Carlos Tun
Carlos Tun, Executive Director, Belize Social Investment Fund
“We are best known for our contribution to infrastructure projects in the areas of water education and health. But an equally important pillar of our mission is the social component. it is this component. That brings us here today as we witness the tangible results of a program focused not just on infrastructure, but on people. This training initiative is a critical part of empowering individuals and communities by enhancing knowledge, by nurturing innovation, and by fostering entrepreneurship.”
Transforming communities, one project at a time—that’s the goal behind the UK-funded Coastal Road Upgrading Project. Backed by a generous thirty-two-million-dollar grant from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, this initiative is already making a difference in places like Gales Point. And for residents like Leroy Andrewin, the impact is personal.
Leroy Andrewin
Leroy Andrewin, Gales Point Mantee Resident
“Now you all give us the tools to work with and everything, and we have the seed to plant. And so when we plant the seed, we hope for the seed to go and make Gales Point into a better Gales Point business to spread, to help spread the news about this business, and thank the teachers, especially teachers, and you all to do this for us. Gales Point is a beautiful village and we always feel like we’re left behind. But now this happened to Gales Point. We know we didn’t left behind. We are part of the system.”
The program supported forty-three female-owned and thirty-seven male-owned businesses in sectors such as food, agriculture, tourism, and electrical sectors. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The organization’s plan to further support the villages growing entrepreneurial community by hosting a Buy Belizean Expo in Dangriga Town on June fourteenth, 2025.
As concerns continue to mount at Louisiana Government School in Orange Walk, Education Minister Oscar Requena is assuring parents that the Ministry is taking the matter seriously. The controversy centers around a teacher accused of aggressive behavior toward students. On Thursday, the Ministry of Education released a statement saying that one of the reported incidents—where a student was injured—was found to be accidental, the result of students bumping into each other while playing. Speaking with News Five today, Minister Requena emphasized that the Ministry is actively investigating the situation and maintaining communication with concerned parents. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students.
Oscar Requena, Minister of Education
“Yes, I am aware and i want to say that the Ministry of Education is actively investigating this matter and certainly we will get to the bottom of it.”
Reporter
“Has there been any communciation with the parents, because it seems like they’re still still complaining so what has been the dialgue there?”
Oscar Requena, Minister of Education
“I don’t know the details, but I know personnel from our ministry has been actively engaging the investigation, and I’m certain that there are going to be communications with the parents, the school, and anybody else who has to be involved.”
While the Ministry has addressed one incident, parents say there are several other concerns that remain unresolved. With several other complaints still unanswered, will the Ministry expand its investigation?
The clock is ticking. Teachers across Belize have officially put the Briceño administration on notice, they’re prepared to strike within twenty-one days if ongoing negotiations with the government fall apart. The warning comes from the Belize National Teachers Union, which has been in talks with the government over unresolved issues. Speaking on Open Your Eyes this morning, B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz emphasized that the notice is a legal requirement before any industrial action can take place.
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union
“I have to notify government and managements of our intent to engage in a strike action. We have to start the whole thing with the twenty-one days. That’s something that I have to do. I have to. I’ve been given a mandate so I have to do that starting today. While that is in process, we are negotiating. If the demands of the membership are met then there’s no need for us to engage in all of that. Now level two determines their response to our counter, so it’s not jumping straight into level two because, like I said, we have started to negotiate. They have not heard our counter, so why should we go to level two? And that is what my membership needs to understand.”
Doctor Christopher Malcolm, the legal mind who recently made headlines in Belize for representing former Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow, is stepping into a prestigious new role. Come September first, Doctor Malcolm will take the helm as Dean of the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica. While many in Belize know him for successfully challenging the legitimacy of the Unity Convention held by Tracy Taegar-Panton and the Alliance for Democracy, fewer may realize that Malcolm is a heavyweight in Caribbean legal education. A former Attorney General of the British Virgin Islands, he currently serves as a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Mona Law Institutes Unit at the University of the West Indies. Now, he’s set to lead one of the region’s top legal institutions. The Norman Manley Law School, named after Jamaican statesman Norman Manley, is one of only three schools in the Caribbean authorized to award Legal Education Certificates, alongside the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas and the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago. Beyond the courtroom and classroom, Doctor Malcolm is a key figure in regional dispute resolution, helping shape legislation, train professionals, and build institutions that support peaceful conflict resolution. His appointment marks a new chapter for the Norman Manley Law School and a proud moment for Caribbean legal education.
As the House of Representatives prepares for its ceremonial opening on Friday, the 2025 fiscal year budget remains unpresented. Despite this delay, teachers are demanding a minimum wage adjustment, and an eight-point-five percent salary increase. However, it seems unlikely that the Briceno administration will meet these demands. Chief Executive Officer Dian Maheia confirmed today that most of the Ministry of Education’s funds will go towards paying teachers. This comes as the Belize National Teachers Union continues to advocate for better compensation amid ongoing financial uncertainties.
Dian Maheia, C.E.O., Ministry of Education
“The work of putting together a budget has been done for the new fiscal year. I can tell you that the 2025/2026 cost for wages, for pensions, for transferring public officers is $787 million dollars. Over eighty percent of the budget of the Ministry of Education is already committed to salaries. This is not an easy ask and this is not an ask that can be answered by the Ministry of Education.”
A few weeks ago, we reported on a controversial salary increase granted to all chief executive officers in the Briceno administration, including C.E.O. Dian Maheia. The pay raise, implemented after the recent general election, has angered teachers and public officers who feel the government is neglecting their needs as workers. This morning, C.E.O. Maheia shared her perspective on the issue, adding fuel to the ongoing debate. The discontent among educators and public servants continues to grow as they demand more support and fair compensation from the government.
Dian Maheia, C.E.O., Ministry of Education
“That raise was not something, and I think that I need to speak here for all my colleagues, was not something that we actively pursued; but, in the grand scheme of things, that amounts to $250,000, more or less, which is less than one percent of what we are looking at in the big picture, compared to 8.5% for teachers. It’s difficult to be held to account for something when you work hard and you are producing. You didn’t go and ask your boss for a raise, your boss said to you, you’ve done well. Here I sit, responsible for three hundred million dollars of this country’s hard-earned money and I am being held to account for the people that I work for in good faith for something that I appreciate because I feel that the prime minister, in good faith, said to us as CEOs, “We feel like you’ve worked hard, you deserve this.”
Paul Lopez
“Is it your view any at all that teachers and public servants at large deserve any sort of raise at this point? 8.5% is the request.”
Dian Maheia
“That’s not a question I can answer because if you begin to ask people whether or not they deserve raises, everybody thinks that they do. That’s a difficult question for you to ask, or rather it’s a difficult question for me to answer and I wouldn’t presume to do that.”
On Saturday, a group of at-risk children from Belize City embarked on an exciting adventure at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Guided by dedicated mentors, the kids explored the sanctuary’s diverse landscapes and wildlife, finding inspiration and hope in nature’s beauty. This memorable trip was part of an initiative to support and uplift vulnerable children from crime-ridden neighborhoods. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Over the weekend, a group of at-risk kids from Belize City enjoyed a day of adventure at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, thanks to the mentorship of Timmy Stamp and Perry Smith. The children participated in various activities, including birdwatching, as part of an initiative by the Jah Love Foundation. This grassroots organization, founded by Stamp and Smith, aims to support vulnerable children from crime-ridden neighborhoods, offering them a chance to experience nature and find hope for a brighter future.
Timmy Stamp
Timmy Stamp, Manager, Jah Love Foundation
“Jah Love da wah group weh work with kids, weh try sih that we have a better future for the kids them because if dehn da di leaders ah tomorrow then it’s only right that we try our best to try guide dehn eena tomorrow.”
In response to the pervasive gang violence gripping many communities in Belize City, the Jah Love Foundation has stepped up with a powerful solution: mentorship.
Perry “Stix” Smith
Perry “Stix” Smith, Jah Love Foundation
“Todeh we have youths from George Street, Taylor’s Alley, Third World, PIV. We integrated youths from different communities and bring dehn out ya da Crooked Tree to be a part of the wildlife sanctuary; view the birds, get to see cashew roasting, and to me it’s a beautiful experience, a beautiful experience.”
Nestled just off the Phillip Goldson Highway, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a sprawling sixteen-thousand-acre haven of natural beauty. This sanctuary features a diverse landscape of lagoons, creeks, logwood swamps, broadleaf forests, and pine savannas. It’s not just a birdwatcher’s paradise; the sanctuary is also home to crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and turtles. This adventure provided them with a unique opportunity to interact with nature, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the sanctuary.
Derek Hendy
Derek Hendy, Site Manager, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
“We usually work with school groups. As they come here we give them a little education outreach about the types of vegetation within our wetland system and give them a little tour, show them some different species of birds so that they can appreciate the nature of the environment.”
The experience aimed to inspire and uplift these children, offering them a refreshing escape from their everyday challenges.
Dajahaun Hope
Dajahaun Hope, Participant
“I like it because we gaan and see di sea, di river, di animal tracks, foot tracks.”
Mentorship is crucial for at-risk children because it provides them with guidance, support, and positive role models. Having a mentor can steer children away from harmful activities and towards healthier, more productive choices.
Timmy Stamp
“We try open different lee evening schools eena different communities fi try organize di youths dehn fi come together, bring dehn together, yoh undastand me, bring dehn together instead ah have dehn fight gainst one another, just bring dehn together. We have da problem fi forty-two years, you know, weh nobody seem to care about. By we bringing di evening schools together we could have di kids dehn from different communities and ker dehn pan different lee trips and have dehn mingle with one another.”
This sanctuary is a paradise for bird lovers, boasting over two hundred and fifty species of resident and migratory birds. The Jabiru stork, one of the sanctuary’s most famous residents, nests here from November to April.
Derek Hendy
“What happened, we covered the boatbill heron trails and we covered the limpkin trails. Again, the basic things that we try to find are the different species of animals that we can find on the trails and the different plants.”
Limpkins, those intriguing large wading birds, are a common sight in the wetlands of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. With their long legs, elongated necks, and distinctive heavy, slightly curved bills, they might look a bit awkward at first glance. However, these birds are surprisingly graceful in their wetland homes, effortlessly navigating floating vegetation and foraging in shallow waters. Their unique appearance and elegant movements make them a fascinating subject for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Janelli
Janelli, Participant
“I see lots of birds. We went by the riverside and we went over bridges.”
Kenjay Thomas
Kenjay Thomas, Participant
“What I like bout di trip [is] that we had fun and we got to see a lot of things.”
Field trips provide a holistic approach to learning and personal development, making them an invaluable tool for supporting at-risk children. These excursions offer new experiences, hands-on learning, and social interaction, helping kids build confidence, relieve stress, and find inspiration. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
In celebration of International Girls in ICT Day, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology joined forces with the Ministry of E-Governance to host an inspiring event aimed at empowering young women through technology. This initiative seeks to uplift and encourage female youth to explore and excel in the tech world. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us more on this exciting event.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Every fourth Thursday in April, International Girls in ICT Day shines a spotlight on the need for more girls and women in the tech sector. For years, the Ministry of Education has been championing this cause, promoting learning, innovation, and inspiration among young women nationwide. Adriani Coleman, Director of E-Governance, shares how girls are stepping up and taking charge in the world of technology every day.
Adriani Coleman
Dr. Adriani Coleman, Director, E-Governance
“Let’s be real, the world needs your energy. You’re smarts. And yes, even your TikTok honed problem-solving skills. Who else has fixed a group project crisis via WhatsApp? I don’t think the young people today use WhatsApp. They use Discord or Teams, or maybe you’re chatting on ROBLOX or Minecraft, who knows? Nowadays, just a side note, at the Ministry of E Governance, fifty three percent of our team are women. Woo. Yes. Yes. That’s amazing Right? So we already have women in the field. I feel you need to know that because it shows that when we lead like a 501 girl, we become women who lead as well.”
The recent celebration of International Girls in ICT Day was packed with engaging activities and interactive sessions, including decryption and computer programming, all aimed at fostering learning, innovation, and inspiration. Stephanie Sylvester, co-founder of the classroom AI tool Avatar Buddy, captivated the audience with her insights on the skills needed to thrive in the AI industry and lead with confidence like a true 501 girl.
Stephanie Sylvestre
Stephanie Sylvestre, Co-founder, Avatar Buddy
“We have resiliency, we have resourcefulness, and we have creativity. So when we talk about resilience, it means not giving up, right? When you make a mistake, when you write the piece of code, when the software blows up on you, when you’re trying to put the electronics together and it just doesn’t come on, the light doesn’t come on. You followed all the instructions and you’re like, why doesn’t this work? This is not time for you to give up. This is a time for you to take a few deep breaths, look around, maybe go get some help, maybe just walk around and then come back and do it again. And if I did not have resilience, I wouldn’t be standing up here today because in 2016, when I started my company, everybody. I mean, everybody told me I was absolutely insane, not possible. And I kept on going and going until I met the first friend that said, okay, Stephanie, this is like mind blowing. The reason why people are saying it’s not possible is because you’re blowing up their mind.”
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is dedicated to fostering inclusive access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through its annual events. These initiatives aim to prepare Belizean girls for success in the digital age. Namrita Balani, Director of Science and Technology, passionately shared her vision for empowering girls across the country who aspire to careers in ICT.
Namrita Balani
Namrita Balani, Director, Science & Technology
“ You’re not too young, you’re not too new. You can already start inspiring others. Very soon you’ll enter competition mode where you’ll be exposed to new areas of technology. Be open-minded, be curious, be fearless, and when you leave here, share what you learned with another girl who did not get a chance to be here today. That’s how we grow this movement. So when we meet here again next year, we won’t just be celebrating another event. We’ll be celebrating the impact of the steps you took. The girls you inspired, the bold actions, you turned into pledges because one day if we keep up this momentum, we’ll reach a point where we no longer have to talk about gender imbalance in ICT because it simply won’t exist.”
The ministry encourages young women throughout the nation to follow their theme and Lead Like a Girl. Britney Gordon for News Five.
This morning, Corozal Methodist School experienced a sickout after two teachers were placed on administrative leave and eight others called in sick. The situation escalated on Tuesday when preschool teachers Julie Castro and Stacy Chi received letters informing them that they were not to return to school until May 27th. The letters accused the teachers of professional misconduct and spreading misinformation among parents. News Five’s Britney Gordon was on the scene this morning to gather more details on the unfolding controversy.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
“Bring our teachers back” This morning, protesters gathered outside Corozal Methodist School, holding signs expressing their displeasure. These protesters are parents of children attending the Methodist preschool, upset over the recent suspension of two teachers. Earlier this week, preschool teachers Julie Castro and Stacy Chi received letters placing them on administrative leave. The letters accused them of repeatedly disregarding lawful instructions and directives from the school’s administration. However, according to the parents, the teachers are simply standing up for their rights and the rights of their children.
Voice of: Disgruntled Parent
Voice of: Disgruntled Parent
“They were escorted from the school with police. And we do not see it. Fear the teachers were standing up for us, for our children. And on the decision making of graduation, which I believe is something not too exaggerating. And that’s the reason why we are here. It’s not only the preschool teachers, there are other teachers who are being victimized and well, I have kids not only in preschool, but I have kids in other classes, and I have seen it and it’s unfair.”
According to parents, the conflict at Corozal Methodist School escalated when teachers Julie Castro and Stacy Chi helped organize a graduation meeting to discuss details like the color scheme and preferred dates. However, the principal insisted that such decisions should come solely from her office. In a message sent to a group chat, parents were informed that the graduation date is set for June 13th at 1:30 p.m., just three and a half hours before the standard six graduation. This decision has fueled the ongoing dispute, leading to a protest by parents who support the teachers’ efforts to involve them in the planning process.
Voice of: Disgruntled Parent
“We are not agreeing with the date. She want the graduation to be along with the standard six graduation, which we refuse as the parents. It’s our money. We decide we want to have a decision in this graduation. We don’t want it with the standard sixth graduation. We believe that they want their own separate graduation date, which they can have time with their fellow classmates and they can enjoy, take pictures. I had an experience, which my son graduated from standard six and my daughter graduated from preschool, it was a clash because I had to run out. I couldn’t take any pictures with my child. I still do not have any pictures because I had to hurry, rush out, get my son ready, and get back for the other graduation.”
Parents at Corozal Methodist School are voicing their frustrations, alleging that the principal has frequently denied them the opportunity to speak with teachers and visit their children. Barbara Acosta, whose grandchild attends the school, claims that the principal has been difficult to deal with since the school year began.
Barbara Acosta
Barbara Acosta, Disgruntled Parent
“ When school started, I brought my grandson. My grandson is someone that don’t eat from anyone, so I brought his lunch and the principal told me that I cannot eat on the school ground with my grandson. She put us to eat on the seaside. Then ney di talk about healthiness and, and good whatever they want, say that is not right. We have a school yard. We pay for that. We pay our school fees. Then now stimulation month. She noh do nothing, nothing to help us. We, the parents and grandparents had to put out to help the teachers. Now she put the teachers on leave. That is not right. We want Methodist to come back where it is. Either she go and let our teachers to come back.”
One parent explains that she does not feel that her children are well taken care of by the principal. Alleging that her six-year-old child was once left unattended in a room without medication after she ran a fever.
Voice of: Disgruntled Parent
“Locked her up in a isolated room. I don’t know if they have a clinic there that she has authority to, to build a isolation room to, to put children. She locked my six-year-old up in the room with high fever, did not have any supervision because nobody was there to see if the child would collapse if she would convulse because it’s fever. I told them if they can kindly give her medication till I reach, because I sent the taxi to get my child. She refused to put the child in a taxi. So I said, can you administer medication? The vice principal told me, no, she’s not authorized. I say, I am the mother and I am authorizing you.”
The letters sent to the teachers allege that they repeatedly and flagrantly acted with disregard and in contravention to lawful instructions. orders and or directives given by the administrators. It further reads quote, “During the administrative leave and the formal investigation, you are barred from performing duties as a teacher and in any way whatsoever meddling with the investigation, including communicating with the students, parents and teachers affiliated with the school. At the conclusion, you will be either notified of charge(s) or immediately reinstated without prejudice to your post. You will receive your full salary whilst you are on administrative leave”, end quote.
Britney Gordon
“Has she tried having any meetings with you parents and your teachers?”
Barabara Acosta
“No meetings. She only had one meeting. Beg, beg, beg, beg, beg beg. Like the siren. A wa wa wa, that’s all she do. Stimulation month. Never show up. But when she want something ih hurry, wa wa wa that no go so.”
News Five contacted the school for a response but was told that the principal would not be commenting on the situation at this time. Britney Gordon for News Five.
