May 16, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Signs of Peace? Ministry and Teachers Union Ease Tensions After Week of Protest

After weeks of heated tension, there may finally be a thaw in the standoff between the Ministry of Education and the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). The conflict reached a boiling point last week when teachers took to the streets of Belmopan, protesting the government’s decision to raise salaries for Cabinet members and government CEOs—a move that sparked outrage among educators still fighting for fairer wages. But this week brought a shift in tone. On Tuesday, union leaders met with government officials at the House of Culture, where they laid out their demands during a formal negotiation session. While no final agreement has been reached, the atmosphere appears to be cooling. Today, instead of marching in protest, teachers from across the country gathered in celebration. The Ministry of Education hosted a lively International Teachers’ Day event at Excalibur Adventure Park, bringing educators together in a show of unity and appreciation. We stopped by the celebration to hear from Education Minister Oscar Requena, who shared his thoughts on the day’s significance and the ongoing dialogue with the union.

Oscar Requena, Minister of Education

“ Today we are celebrating national Teachers Day. Today we take the opportunity to thank our teachers across the country for all the hard work, the dedication and commitment that they have to educating our young minds. The way the activities are carried out is that this year is the Ministry of Education responsibility. So the Ministry of Education is sponsoring and organizing the activities. And we are happy to say that we have teachers from across the country here today. It’s a time when we all come together, when we all celebrate the great work, the great commitment of our teachers. And really it’s just a day where, we take the opportunity to say thank you to our teachers for all that they do.”

Britney Gordon

“And what’s your message to teachers on teachers’ day amid the chaos?”

Oscar Requena

“I don’t think that there is any chaos. We are working together and my message is a message of gratitude, a message of continued collaboration support. We have a duty as Belizeans to continue to educate our children. Our teachers play a very important role in nation building, and I want to personally, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, on the government of Belize, to sincerely express my gratitude for all the hard work, the commitment, and the dedication that our teachers bring to the classroom every single day.”

In regional news, the Government of Mexico has announced a ten percent salary increase for teachers in recognition of International Teachers Day.

Education Minister Reaffirms Support for Teachers and Ongoing Dialogue

At today’s International Teachers’ Day celebration, Education Minister Oscar Requena took a moment to recognize the dedication and hard work of teachers across Belize. He also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to maintaining open and constructive dialogue with the Belize National Teachers’ Union. Requena emphasized that the government values the role of educators and is actively engaged in discussions to address their concerns. He assured that collaboration with the union remains a top priority as they work toward meaningful solutions.

Oscar Requena, Minister of Education

“As I made it very clear to our teachers this morning, we are all partners in this business of education and we are here to support our teachers as the ministry of education, we have a responsibility to continue to provide, the support, the collaboration, so that at the end of the day, we can, certainly continue to motivate our teachers, continue to ensure that they have the necessary tools and that they are properly equipped and supported to carry out their duties in the classroom.”

Britney Gordon

“Has there been any conversation with the Prime Minister regarding Tuesday’s outcome and the notice of a strike?”

Oscar Requena

“Absolutely. The Prime Minister has been briefed by the joint negotiating team of our side. And certainly, this discussion is going to continue. On Tuesday, we go to the Cabinet, and we will further the conversation.”

Parents Raise Alarming Concerns at Orange Walk Primary School

Tensions are rising at Louisiana Government School in Orange Walk, where several parents are accusing a teacher of mistreating their children. The allegations include claims of emotional trauma, physical harm, and neglect. Despite bringing their concerns to both school officials and the Ministry of Education, parents say they’ve seen little to no action. One parent even reported receiving a death threat after speaking out. In response, the Ministry of Education issued a statement on Thursday, saying that one of the reported incidents was determined to be an accident. That conclusion was backed by a separate investigation conducted by the Belize Police Department. Today, the parent of the child accused of causing the injury spoke with News Five, confirming it was indeed accidental. She said the teacher involved had reached out to explain the situation and added that the injured child had previously been threatened by her son’s older brother. News Five’s Benita Keme-Palacio has more on this developing story.

Anisa Mckoy, Parent

“The teacher of my daughter. She sent me a voice clip stating that my daughter would be coming home in this kind of state because she was threatened at the school, and I went to the school. I wanted to clear the threatening piece because a threat is a threat at the end of the day, no matter who it comes from. So, I went to the school, and I was made sure, they made sure that this wouldn’t prolong. The father gave me his word in the office that nothing else would come of it, and he already spoke to his son, and my thing was when I was asked if I wanted to see the boy, the older boy, because the one that did the threatening is not the one that was injured; it is the older brother that did the threatening.They have two students in that classroom that saw what happened, and they were in the office, and they told the truth on what they saw. So yes, they did do their job and investigate from so many angles.”

While the Ministry maintains that the case has been closed based on its findings, affected parents say they still want full accountability

Education Minister Responds to Concerns at Louisiana Government School

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?

Postmortem Says Selvin Sealy Jr. Was Killed

Tonight, growing outrage and heartbreak in San Pedro, as the death of thirty-two-year-old tour guide Selvin Sealy Jr. while in police custody has officially been ruled a homicide. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Sealy died from restraint asphyxia—intensifying calls for justice and accountability. Sealy, a well-known resident of the DFC area, was detained by police on the morning of Monday, May twelfth, after reportedly behaving erratically near Villa Abrazos. According to police, he had climbed a tree, claiming he was being chased by a dog. Officers say they subdued him when he refused to come down—but shortly after, they realized he was unresponsive. He was rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where he was pronounced dead. Now, with the cause of death confirmed, Sealy’s grieving family is demanding answers.

Selvin Sealy Sr., Father of Deceased (File: May 13^th, 2025)

“I’m heartbroken about my son and I don’t wish this on anyone, it’s a really rough feeling. Even right now, I get emotional. The call came to my house about 7:30, somewhere around there, about 7:30, I was getting ready to go out and then I heard that my son was critical at the polyclinic in San Pedro. So I got the news and I got ready and I went there directly. In all the chaos, and all the situation, I saw my son lying dead on the table and it was a really heartfelt emotion for me. They told me that, someone at the police department, that he was at some, I think it’s like a private house, rental, pool, swimming [when] the security called the police to come and see. I don’t know what transpired from there. They do have videos which I would like to see and get for my personal satisfaction. But after that, in between, something happened when the police picked him up or so. That part, I would really like a clarification. And then they took him, it seems [like] because I heard [that] they were talking about they had him in a handcuff. They took him to the station and so forth. He was well in the morning because my other son saw him at 6:30, passing by the boats on the beach. It’s a human being, like everyone else. Somebody dies, your children somebody dies, you want justice because no matter how the person is… if he had committed a crime or something it’s different. I just want justice. I’m not pinpointing fingers, but my son died.”

New Online System Makes Getting Police Records Easier Than Ever

In a groundbreaking step toward digital transformation, the Government of Belize has officially launched the new Online Criminal Records Registry—better known as the CRR system—ushering in a new era of convenience, transparency, and efficiency for the public. This forward-thinking initiative is the result of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, with strong support from the Ministry of E-Governance. At the launch event, Minister Kareem Musa highlighted the CRR as a key milestone in the government’s broader mission to modernize the justice system and improve access to public services through digital innovation. So, what does this mean for you? The new CRR system allows citizens to apply for Police Records of Conduct entirely online—from application to payment, and even delivery. That means no more long lines, no more repeated trips to government offices. And for added convenience, users will receive real-time updates via SMS or email, ensuring full transparency every step of the way. But that’s not all. While the system is built for full online access, those who prefer in-person services can still apply and collect their records at designated locations. This digital leap forward is expected to significantly reduce waiting times, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, and make public services more accessible to all Belizeans. A modern justice system for a modern Belize—powered by technology, driven by progress.

Fatal Motorcycle Crash Shakes Blue Creek Community

A tragic accident in Blue Creek Village, Orange Walk District has left one man dead and another hospitalized. The crash happened early Thursday morning and involved two motorcycles. Police arrived at the scene around 9 a.m., where they found a Lifan motorcycle resting on top of a Honda along the roadside. Both riders had already been rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital. Investigators say thirty-seven-year-old Abram Peters, a resident of Blue Creek, was leaving his property around 7:30 a.m. and trying to cross the road when he was hit by a motorcycle driven by seventy-year-old Reinaldo Colomer of San Felipe Village. Peters suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival. Colomer remains hospitalized with multiple injuries. Police are still piecing together what led to the crash and are reminding all motorists to drive with extra care, especially in residential and rural areas.

Mahler Says Running Youth Department “Isn’t Rocket Science”

Last month, Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union, called on the Auditor General to launch an investigation into the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He wants a clear look at how public funds were handled under the former minister’s watch. At the same time, Flowers and the P.S.U. are challenging a new proposal by Minister Mahler, who recently suggested cutting jobs in the Youth and Sports departments. The union argues the move could hurt workers and services. But Mahler insists the changes are necessary, saying restructuring is key to helping the ministry grow and succeed. Here’s what he had to say.

Anthony Mahler, Minister, Youth & Sports

“There should be audits for everything for statutory boards, that’s a normal process. And for government institutions, that’s a normal process. So we are working on those things and we’ll have to do what we have to do.”

Reporter

“We promise leadership one, we promise a plan that we will consult with people and two we will work, we will lead by example, minister Daly and I will lead by example and show that we can get things done. And it’s not rocket science for us to be able to ensure that we have the programs that can meet the needs of almost seventy of our population.”

Anthony Mahler

“We will provide a safety net in terms of restructuring. Between youth and sports, we have about almost eight million. I believe that with restructuring, with improving the efficiencies of the department, and the departments, we can accomplish a lot of things out of that money. Just the way we manage the money.”

Minister Mahler Sets Bold Vision for Youth and Sports

After years of complaints about neglected facilities and limited opportunities for young athletes, Minister of Youth and Sports Anthony Mahler says it’s time for a major reset. Mahler is stepping in with a bold plan to revamp the ministry and restore confidence in its mission. He acknowledges that the road ahead won’t be easy, describing the task as “heavy lifting”—but one he’s ready to take on. We caught up with the minister to get his thoughts on the national budget recently presented by Prime Minister John Briceño, and whether it includes enough funding to support his ambitious goals for youth and sports development.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Youth & Sports

“ My original slogan was change agent. And I believe that I have shown the nation that I’m capable of leading these changes. When we got in, tourism was nothing. We were built it to record levels now and we’re putting in better fundamentals in it and for sustainability and for this organic growth that we need instead of exponential growth and youth transports are going to be the same thing, we come with a level of discipline. We come with a level of focus, we come with a plan to ensure that we meet the needs of this country. And like I said, youth and sports are too important for us not to get it right.”

Reporter

“Do you believe the ministry was given sufficient funds in this year’s budget to complete these goals that you want to accomplish?”

Anthony Mahler

“I believe it’s a start and I believe it’s a good start. And like I said, we will continue restructure, we’ll continue to become more efficient and we will continue to partner, like for example, sports. We should be partnering federations like the Golf Federation to ensure that they have developmental programs and that they have the adequate facilities, that they have the means of, of improving. In the game, just like basketball, just like volleyball, just like cricket. All of these things play a crucial role in the development of Belize.”

Tourism Minister Optimistic as Belize Sees Record Visitor Numbers

Despite a few bumps in the road, Belize’s tourism industry is showing strong signs of growth—and the outlook for the rest of the year is promising. Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler shared that the country saw record-breaking visitor numbers in January, February, and April of this year. March was slightly down, but only because Easter fell in April this year, unlike last year when it boosted March’s numbers. Mahler recently met with major airlines and the U.S. Embassy, and the message was clear: an uptick in travel to Belize is expected after June.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“I had a meeting yesterday with the US Embassy and we had a frank; open discussion and I believe that this is an opportunity for us. I think things are going to settle down. Last week Friday, I met with some of the major airlines that come to Belize and all of them are saying that they’re expecting an uptick after June. For the first four months of this year, we’ve seen record numbers, except for March, whereby last year March you had Easter in it and this year, Easter fell in April. And so, January was a record month, February was a record month, March, we were marginally down and April we had a record month. So, now it’s how we position ourselves. I believe the Mexican market is important. The Canadian market is important. South America is going to be important and the regional aspect of it. But air connectivity is also important, so we have some contracts on the table and hopefully we can get those worked out before the end of the year whereby we have new carriers coming into Belize.”