February 5, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Teacher Sickout at Belmopan Baptist School

Today, teachers at Belmopan Baptist High School staged a sickout to protest the school administration’s behavior. Seven out of the school’s nineteen teachers called in sick. Despite this setback, classes continued as usual. News Five’s Britney has more details.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Nearly half of the teachers at Belmopan Baptist High School didn’t show up for work today, calling in sick to protest against several actions taken by the school’s administration. Despite their absence, the school continued to operate. We spoke with one of the teachers participating in the sickout to get their perspective.

Voice of: Baptist Teacher 1

“Most recently we had a security officer who was wrongfully terminated. And and all of this has led to amount of frustration amongst the staff members. And we are asking for A meeting with the entire board of management and at this juncture they have refused to have such a meeting. And that is the reason why we are taking these actions today.”

The teachers allege that since the new principal took over in August 2024, several employees, including those with over seventeen years of service, have been unfairly terminated. However, Pastor Ashley Rocke, chairman of the school and President of the Baptist Association of Belize, insists that these staff changes were necessary for the school’s improvement.

Ashley Rocke, Chairman, Belmopan Baptist High School

“ I’ve watched as our school was manipulated by people that did not even belong to our association. So Baptist decided we’re going to take back our schools. We’re going to run our schools the way we want. And the way we feel that it is right to make sure that the kids get the education they need. We’ve had resistance. The last principal left. He resigned and he left. And so we were saddled with the responsibility of getting a new principal.”

The teachers shared that the previous principal was problematic, so they were initially excited about the new leadership. However, they now feel that the new principal consistently disrespects the staff.

Voice of: Baptist Teacher 2

“To come and tell us then know that, come and tell the teachers that the principal left because the teachers frustrate him is totally untrue because he himself condoned it. It is under their management, so how could it be that it is our fault? So that is one of the things that we see we are noticing. The buck stops with the chairman in this case and he can step out, step in and select who should run the school, a true leader. Recently, the chairman told us that they intentionally hired the current principal right now. I don’t know what he means by that.”

Rocke explained that there’s been a recent push within the Baptist community to reclaim ownership of their schools. This movement has brought about leadership changes, which haven’t been welcomed by all staff members.

Ashley Rock

“My contention as it relates to Baptist School in Belmopan is that I get the impression that the teachers want to continue to tell us how the school should be run. And I will not have it. I wasn’t afraid to say to them, this is our school. And if you don’t want to stay, you are free to leave. That was the reason they felt disrespected. But we have a process how we are going. We, even in the Baptist Association, we have decided how we are going to rec, captivate our schools and make sure that they’re under our guidance.”

To resolve the issues, the teachers requested a meeting with the entire administrative team. However, they were informed only three directors would be in attendance. Rocke maintains that this approach is the best way to approach the situation.

Ashley Rock

“As a board we were gonna sit down, listen to our directors, what they found, and then chart a way forward as to how to engage or better. Work with the teachers, if you will. But they didn’t want to give us that chance. They told us, you have to do what we want. We want all a unu come. And the last time that all of us went, it was a disaster. They were very embarrassing. Some of the things that they did while the meeting was going on was wrong. And I felt to myself, I will not be ambushed again. I will not go into no meeting where nobody will ambush me and try to pin me into no corner. So I told, I asked the three directors and they were willing to go.”

According to Rocke, the teachers have not been receptive to the changes brought by the new principal and continuously push back against her authority.

Ashley Rocke

“ The principal came on board and did revolutionary things for our school, right? But ever since she came, they continue to fight her. They continue to fight her. To bring her down. They continue to say strange thing about her. All the ladies’ intention was she knew how schools are on. She was once a vice principal in a high school. She came to our school trying to help us”

The teachers continue to push for better treatment and demand that their concerns be taken seriously. They maintain that mutual respect is conducive to a healthy work environment.

Voice of: Baptist Teacher 2

“We hope to get this matter rectified and all in the relevant stakeholders that they get on board and that we see that this matter be addressed, including the Ministry of Education. Because at the end of the day, we have our students interests at hand, and that is our ultimate goal, that they receive the best education.”

Rocke says that he is open to hearing the teachers, but has put his foot down about the way the meeting will be conducted.

Ashley Rocke

“ They either come and meet with the three directors and give us the opportunity to hear from the directors what the issues are. Because I’m not gonna meet with them again. I will not be embarrassed again. Last time we had a meeting, I was embarrassed and I felt the, the disrespect that they talked about was the disrespect they gave to me as the chairman of that school board”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Ministry Responds to Belmopan Baptist Sickout

This morning, at least seven teachers at Belmopan Baptist High School called in sick as part of a protest. They’re upset over what they describe as unethical and disrespectful actions by the school’s administration. The teachers are also demanding an audit to investigate potential mismanagement of funds. Minister of Education Francis Fonseca has acknowledged the situation, stating that the Ministry is aware of the teachers’ concerns and is taking steps to address them.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“ Yes, I’m aware of it. It was brought to my attention, I think on Monday and yesterday I asked the Deputy Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Cecilia Smith Ramirez, Ramirez Smith to go to the school to engage with them to meet with them. So I think it’s something that , she is working on. But we are aware of the issues and the concerns that have been raised. We are going to, of course, we have to as well work with the management and the board. You know, it’s not a government school. So we have to engage with the managing authority and the board. But yes, the ministry is actively looking into that matter.”

Ministry Condemns “The Ultimate Business University”

Last week, the Ministry of Education issued a warning about an entity called “The Ultimate Business University.” This organization claims it plans to bring five thousand students from the U.S. to Belize and hire a whopping thirty-five thousand teachers. It also asserts that it’s registered as an educational institution in Belize. However, the ministry clarified that this business is neither registered nor legally recognized in Belize and has no official ties to the Government of Belize. Earlier today, Minister of Education Francis Fonseca addressed the issue, emphasizing the importance of verifying such claims.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“ I know it doesn’t sound to me at all feasible or logical, it’s just my view. Listen, I can tell you, we get lots of proposals from institutions all over the world. Every month you get one or two from all over the world. You don’t know who these people are, you don’t know anything about them. My own view is that would not be something we would do. consider at all, but they would have to make a, as I said, there’s a procedure in place. There’s a legal procedure in place for you to apply, especially if you want to open some offshore school. There’s a special regime in place, especially for those kinds of institutions because so many of them have been associated with scams. Fly by night institutions that are just taking people’s money. So we have to be extremely careful with those types of institutions. In fact, we, we’re looking to close down some that got licenses previously. Yeah, but that would have to be looked at carefully.”

GOB Implements New Transport Regulations at Border Points

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Transport, through the Department of Transport, has amended the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Regulation of Transport at Border Points) Regulations under Statutory Instrument No. 19 of 2025, published on February 3, 2025.

The amendments, developed in consultation with Corozal and Benque Viejo Municipal Authorities and Belizean commercial truck operators, address concerns over inadequate border transport regulations. Among the key changes is a reduction in road service charges, lowering the fee from $100 per vehicle axle to $30 per axle for both foreign-registered and Belizean-registered cargo transporters.

These reforms aim to increase revenue for border municipalities, which will be allocated to public road improvements and essential infrastructure projects. Additionally, the updated regulations will prevent fee evasion by foreign cargo transporters, ensuring a fairer system that safeguards Belizean businesses and strengthens the country’s commercial transport sector.

Minister of Transport Rodwell Ferguson said, “These updates demonstrate our commitment to strengthening Belize’s land transportation infrastructure while ensuring an efficient and transparent system for cross-border trade and travel.”

Minister Fonseca Responds Belmopan Baptist High School Sickout

A sickout by teachers at Belmopan Baptist High School has brought serious concerns over school leadership to the forefront. Minister of Education Francis Fonseca responded to the situation after it was reported that over half the teaching staff refused to show up for work today.

Fonseca stated that the ministry is aware of the issues unfolding at the school. “We are aware of the issues and the concerns that have been raised,” Fonseca said, and added that the ministry is actively addressing the matter with the school’s management and board.

The protest, which involved nine out of seventeen teachers, stems from long-standing grievances with the school’s administration. Teachers have expressed frustration over ‘constant disrespect,’ unlawful terminations, and intimidation.

One teacher told News 5 that the leadership under the current chairman is the cause of unresolved issues. The teachers allege unfair dismissals and staff manipulation have also surfaced.

They have demanded immediate changes to restore respect and fairness at the school.

No Election Date Announcement on Friday

In a legal exchange dated today, the Attorney General of Belize responded to a pre-action letter sent by Anand Ramlogan SC, representing three individuals—Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey.

The letter sought clarification on whether the Prime Minister would announce the date for the upcoming general election during Parliament’s next sitting, scheduled for this Friday.

The claimants argue that holding elections with the outdated boundaries would be unconstitutional, as they violate Section 90’s requirement for equal voter distribution across districts.

The Attorney General’s office confirmed that the Prime Minister will not be announcing the election date at that session, nor will he advise the Governor General to dissolve Parliament on that date. This clarification addresses mounting public speculation regarding the election timeline.

The letter also outlined that “Courtenay Coye LLP is authorised to accept service of all communications and filings with respect to this matter on behalf of the Attorney General and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.” Meanwhile, “Marine Parade Chambers LLP is authorised to accept service of all communications and filings with respect to this matter on behalf of the Elections and Boundaries Commission.”

Belmopan Baptist High School Teachers Stage Sickout

Teachers at Belmopan Baptist High School are voicing strong dissatisfaction with its current administration, which has led to over half of its teaching staff staging a sickout today. Nine out of seventeen teachers refused to show up for work in protest against what they describe as ‘constant disrespect,’ unlawful terminations, and intimidation from the school leadership.

One teacher stated that the root of the problem is the chairman, claiming that it is under his leadership that changes have not happened and the issues persist. Teachers allege that the current administration mirrors the problems of the previous administrator, including unfair dismissals and manipulation of staff.

They also claim that their concerns are dismissed, with one teacher revealing that a letter from the chairman threatened job security if complaints continued.

The ongoing issues have caused staff division. Teachers have pointed to several incidents, including the wrongful termination of a 74-year-old employee. The protest is a direct response to these unresolved issues, and teachers are demanding immediate changes to restore respect and fairness at the school.

Legal Challenge Looms Over Belize Ahead of General Election

A group of Belizean voters has initiated legal action against the government over its failure to implement redistricting measures before the next general election. Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey, represented by their legal counsel, are seeking constitutional redress over what they claim is a breach of their democratic rights under Section 90 of the Constitution.

The dispute arises from a 2019 consent order, in which the government and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) acknowledged the need to redefine electoral district boundaries to ensure fairness and equality in representation. The EBC submitted its proposals in July 2023, which were incorporated into the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024, tabled in the National Assembly in May 2024. However, despite its majority in Parliament, the government has not debated or passed the bill.

With political campaign activity increasing and the possibility of an imminent election announcement, the claimants argue that holding elections under the existing electoral boundaries would be illegal and unconstitutional. They contend that the outdated boundaries violate Section 90’s requirement that each division should have as equal a number of voters as possible.

Legal representatives for the claimants warn that proceeding with elections without implementing the redistricting changes could lead to a constitutional crisis, potentially invalidating the election results. The failure to update electoral boundaries, they argue, would constitute deliberate disenfranchisement and undermine the legitimacy of Belize’s democratic process.

The legal team has given the government until February 5, 2025, to confirm whether it intends to call elections without first passing the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024. If the government fails to respond or refuses to commit to the necessary reforms, the claimants will file for constitutional redress and seek an urgent court order to block the election from proceeding under the current boundaries.

A special sitting of Parliament is scheduled for February 7, 2025.

Defamation Lawsuit Between LOO and PM Settled

In a resolution that puts a three-year legal battle to rest, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition, will apologise to Prime Minister John Briceno following a defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit stemmed from comments made by Barrow on Channel 7’s Uncut in March 2022.

The Prime Minister, through his legal team at Courtenay Coye law firm, filed the defamation claim against Barrow. After lengthy negotiations, both parties reached an agreement, and the lawsuit was officially dismissed by the court.

The court order, handed down by Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke, states that Barrow did not intend to defame Briceno. The order further stipulates that Barrow must issue an apology for any “embarrassment or hurt” caused by his words. In return, once the apology is accepted, the matter will be dismissed, with both sides bearing their own legal costs.

Mother of Special Child Speaks Out on little Gabriel’s Death.

Kezia Young, the mother of an 8-year-old little girl who we have reported about previously, her name is Jenica Jenkins. She took to Facebook to share her experience and thoughts on this whole situation.

In an emotional Facebook video, Kezia Young, mother of 8-year-old Jenica Jenkins, expressed her outrage over the tragic death of a 6-year-old autistic boy from Stella Maris school. Yesterday, News 5 tracked little Gabriel’s steps as he was seen running down Belize City’s busy street alone.

In her video, Young criticised not only the police but the entire community for failing to intervene when the boy was clearly in distress.

She said that despite the presence of many people—including cyclists, drivers, and people walking—not a single adult stepped in to guide the child.

“As a society, blame unu self as a society—as a community— as a country, we failed that family, we failed that child,” Young said. “So much people mih dih out deh, and watch this this lee bwai dih run middle street. If unu mih even care as a society, unu mih wa realise that he was in a Stella Maris uniform.” A school dedicated for “differently abled kids,” she added.

She also lambasted the police for their lack of action when an off-duty police officer reportedly called 911 to report that Gabriel was seen alone in the streets.”

Speaking from her own experience as a mother of young Jenica, who was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and is also autistic, she said, “He might have been scared, more than anything; he might have been scared dih run dih street ina traffic by himself, and no one single adult stopped their care, no wah cyclist park pan dih side, nobody even try address the situation and simply take the little boy back to school.”

She pointed out the sad reality that she says has become a norm over time, seeing children walk the streets alone or walking to school alone. “Unu so comfortable sending kids to school by themselves, so comfortable allowing kids to go to the store by themselves,” she said.