Corozal Methodist School is facing a sickout as two teachers have been placed on administrative leave and eight others have called in sick. This morning, a group of parents gathered in front of the school to demonstrate their support for the teachers on leave and to protest against the principal.
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 repeatedly disregarding lawful instructions and directives from the school’s administration.
Barbara Acosta, whose grandchild attends the preschool, shared her reasons for supporting the teachers. She believes the teachers have been unfairly treated and wants to stand up for their rights.
Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 61-year-old mechanic who was gunned down on Thursday night in Belize City. Police report that the victim, Carlos Alvelar, was attacked shortly after 8 p.m. on Coney Drive by two men riding a motorcycle. Reports are that one of the assailants fired several shots at close range before fleeing the scene.
Officers arrived shortly after the incident and found Alvelar lying motionless. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The motive behind the attack has not been determined , and no suspects have been detained.
Police are investigating an attempted robbery in Lord’s Bank Village that left a 49-year-old shop owner, Glenford Williams, hospitalised with a gunshot wound.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night as the victim was closing a local small shop. Williams reported that he was ambushed by two masked gunmen, one of whom opened fire at him, causing his injuries.
Reports are that the assailants fled the scene on foot and remain at large.
Williams was taken to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Police processed the scene and recovered a single 9mm expended shell. No suspects have been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
Labour Day, celebrated on different dates around the world but with the same purpose, is observed in Belize on May 1st to honour the men and women whose daily efforts fuel the nation’s economy and development.
“Today, we recognize and express gratitude for the contributions of our people through the various stages of our national development,” Prime Minister John Briceño said on social media.
Schools and most businesses remain closed as workers enjoy a midweek break. A well-deserved “day off” from the usual work routine serves as a quick reset.
While some Belizeans have voiced on social media that the day off comes ‘abruptly’ within the week just to “get back on the grind” on Friday, many others don’t have the privilege to enjoy.
Essential workers, such as doctors, nurses, medical laboratory technologists, police officers, firefighters, port workers, and other emergency responders, remain on duty. “You are the engine that drives our country forward,” the Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton said on her social media.
The contributions of essential workers is a stark reminder that even on a day meant for rest, some must continue to serve to keep the wheels going.So how can one show appreciation for loved ones working today, especially those in essential roles? Here are a few thoughtful ways to care for them:
Prepare a Special Meal or Get a Snack Box Get their favourite snacks, a homemade meal, or a refreshing drink for when they are back from their shift. Leave a note of encouragement to brighten their day.
Send a Thoughtful Message or Voice Note A simple “thinking of you” message or an uplifting voice note during their break can go a long way in boosting their spirits.
Handle Their Errands or Chores Help take the load off by completing household tasks.
Create a Relaxing Environment at Home Set up a cosy spot for them to unwind after work.
Deliver a Small Gift or Treat A care package or coffee delivery shows they’re appreciated and thought of.
Plan a Mini Celebration for After Work Plan something restful and enjoyable for when they get home.
Advocate for Their Importance Use your voice on social media to highlight the role your loved one plays and thank them publicly. It reminds them (and others) of their role in the community.
Respect Their Rest Time Let them sleep in or nap if they’re on night shifts or coming home exhausted.
The West Landivar community in Belize City is proudly welcoming home one of its own, Captain Howell Grange. He is hailed as a hero after his courageous actions during a harrowing mid-air hijacking incident in April. The residents are hosting a “hero’s homecoming celebration” this afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Bachelor Avenue.
“Join us to celebrate Captain Howell with your family and community,” the invitation stated. The neighbourhood comes together on Labour Day, a day to celebrate the contributions of working citizens. In this case especially, the West Landivar community is inviting everyone to join in saluting the bravery and resilience of a heroic pilot.
Grange was the pilot who found himself in a life-and-death situation when American veteran Akinyela Taylor, 49, hijacked a Tropic Air domestic flight on April 17. Taylor had entered Belize illegally and was involved in a string of incidents, including the assault of a police officer, before being released. During the flight, Taylor stabbed two passengers and pilot Grange. The ordeal lasted nearly two hours before one of the injured passengers, who was licensed to carry a firearm, shot and killed Taylor as the plane landed safely at the Philip Goldson International Airport. All three injured individuals survived.
In response to the hijacking, Tropic Air has implemented new security measures aimed at improving passenger safety. These include mandatory over-the-counter check-ins and gate checks for all travellers. While children are generally exempt from searches, they must still comply with security protocols if there is suspicion of concealed items.
More than 2,500 union members voted to move forward with industrial action on Wednesday, according to a Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) announcement statement. “A powerful display of unity, participation, and commitment to democratic principles,” the BNTU added.
BNTU’s national president, Nadia Caliz, confirmed the union will proceed with a three-phase plan. Phase 1 involves a public demonstration, followed by a two-day national shutdown in Phase 2, escalating to a full strike in Phase 3.
The union is demanding a salary adjustment and an immediate increase in the minimum wage from $5 to $6 per hour. “We are willing to take the appropriate actions to ensure that government meets its obligation to the public sector,” said Coral Lord, Belize District President of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), following a strong turnout at the countrywide vote.
In an interview on Wednesday with the newly appointed Minister of Education (MOE), Oscar Requena, he reaffirmed BNTU and MOE’s “respectful and cordial relationship,” but added that he has not “seen or received any official communications from BNTU.”
Requena acknowledged long-standing issues, particularly around the appointment of teachers, dating back to legislative changes in 2012. “Significant work has been done on this process,” he said, adding that the ministry is actively working to resolve it.
Wednesday’s BNTU countrywide meeting stemmed from recent salary increases for top government officials, including a raise from $76,000 to $96,000 for the Cabinet Secretary and to $88,000 for Chief Executive Officers, a 15.7% increase.
The BNTU was not the only union to respond to the salary increases for the Cabinet Secretary and Chief Executive Officers. In an April 16 statement, the Public Service Union (PSU) condemned the adjustments, describing them as a “grotesque display of self-interest” and “parasitic enrichment.”
With its membership vote concluded and a plan in place, the BNTU is now preparing to move into the first phase of industrial action. The timeline for implementation has not yet been announced.
A two-year-old American child who was abducted and brought to Belize has been safely reunited with their custodial parent, thanks to a coordinated rescue operation involving U.S. and Belizean authorities.
The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan played a key role in supporting an FBI-led investigation. Working in close collaboration with the Belize Police Department, as well as the Departments of Human Services and Immigration, the team ensured the child’s safe return to the United States.
“As the most widely represented law enforcement agency globally, DSS is uniquely positioned to conduct and support these types of transnational criminal investigations,” stated DSS Special Agent Lou Wood. “We are incredibly grateful for the outstanding collaboration with the FBI, our U.S. Embassy colleagues, and our partners in Belize, which led to the safe return of this little girl to her home in the United States.”
Authorities have not released further details on the individuals involved but confirmed that the mission was successful and the child is now safe.
Across the country this morning, teachers were outside of their classrooms and students remained at home for the day. That’s because the Belize National Teachers’ Union held meetings with its district branches to vote on how to collectively push the government to meet their demands. These include a salary adjustment and an immediate increase in the minimum wage from five to six dollars per hour, among other things. The union believes that if government CEOs can receive a salary increase, then teachers should too, given the significant sacrifices they make to advance education in Belize. Belize District Branch President, Coral Lord, spoke with the media at the close of the meeting. News Five’s Marion Ali filed this report.
Voice of Speaker: Cayo BNTU Branch
Voice of Speaker: Cayo B.N.T.U. Branch
“Your presence here speaks of the support, the trust, and the engagement you are willing to take the appropriate actions to ensure that government meets its obligation to the public sector, workforce, and for us to register our discontent. We have been complaining; we have been saying now it’s the time to register it.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
Today, the Belize National Teachers Union held meetings with members from across the country to gauge their stance on how to proceed with the government. The union argues that the high cost of living, combined with recent salary increases for government executives, justifies their demand for salary adjustment. They are asking for an 8.5 percent increase.
Coral Lord
Coral Lord, President, B.N.T.U., Belize District
“The 8.5 is simply speaking to an adjustment for cost of living that our members, all of us are feeling the pinch. The rise in cost of items or money doesn’t have the same strength and the same value it had. When we go to the store, we see that daily, the price of items are going up, and so that 8.5 is simply speaking to that.”
Among the union’s five demands is an immediate increase in the minimum wage from five to six dollars. This was a promise made by the government in its planBelize 2.0 manifesto. In a letter dated April twenty-second, the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT), which represents the Belize National Teachers Union (B.N.T.U.), the Public Service Union, and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, reached out to the Prime Minister. The letter highlighted the disparity between the salary increases for CEOs and the sacrifices made by frontline public officers, calling the salary hike a grave injustice. The JUNT also urged for a similar adjustment for pensioners to align with the salary adjustments of their members.
Coral Lord, President of the Belize District branch of the BNTU, shared that the turnout at Swift Hall for its members did not include those from San Pedro and Caye Caulker. The teachers voted on several options for their next course of action, as shown here on this ballot. Lord mentioned that the turnout in Belize City reflected the same level of concern expressed in the letter.
Coral Lord
“Today I would want to put the numbers more around 500 plus. And so I know that we will get, uh, overwhelming support from our members when it comes to whatever action that is needed to be taken. Our members have been agitating for their frozen increments. They have been asking for their salary or upgrades that they have already worked for and have earned. They have been asking for some allowances that have yet to be given to them. In light of all of this and the government is giving raises to other employees, we wanted to find out from them what is their position in respect to this and what they want us as the union that represents them to do.”
Lord mentioned that the various district branch presidents will inform the BNTU executive about how their members voted on the next steps to take. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education posted a response on their Facebook page, stating that they are working to create a system that supports educators, not hinders them. They also announced that digital allowance and increment forms will be implemented by July. Additionally, the Ministry shared that all secondary school administrator positions and half of primary school administrator positions have been filled, with 1,300 primary and secondary teacher appointments finalized. Marion Ali for News Five.
By news time, the B.N.T.U. was waiting for the results to be handed in by three of its branches to reveal how its membership countrywide voted overall.
This evening, Minister of Education Oscar Requena spoke with News Five by phone. During our conversation, Requena admitted that he was not aware of the five-point demands made by the Belize National Teachers Union, which includes the 8.5% salary increase sought by its members. He mentioned that this request would need to be considered by the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet.
On the phone: Oscar Requena
On the phone: Oscar Requena, Minister of Education
“The Ministry of Education has had a very respectful and cordial relationship with the BNTU. We certainly see each other as partners in education and certainly this means that as partners in education, from time to time, we have to sit down, we have to dialogue, we have to collaborate with each other and really build a respectful and trustworthy relationship. With regards to the demands, honestly, I cannot speak to that because as far as I know, I have not seen or received any official communications from BNTU in relation to what their demands are.”
Isani Cayetano
“I acknowledge the fact that you have not seen or heard the demands made by the BNTU, but they are essentially asking for an 8.5% salary increase. The government is yet to put together a budget and present it. Would this be a consideration, and I know this would perhaps come from the Ministry of Finance, but would this be something that you guys would entertain as something to look at?”
Oscar Requena
“Listen, I cannot speak to something that I have not seen, but whatever the request is from the BNTU, this is a matter that has to go to the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet for consideration.”
In a recent social media post, B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz revealed that several teachers were not paid for the month of April due to problems with their certificates. This issue has caught the attention of the Minister of Education, who explained that the discrepancies stem from a revision of a Statutory Instrument in 2012. This revision affected the appointment process of teachers under the Teaching Services Commission. The unpaid teachers are facing financial difficulties, and the B.N.T.U. is actively seeking solutions to resolve the matter. The Minister of Education has acknowledged the problem and is working to address the certificate issues that have led to the payment delays.
Isani Cayetano
“The BNTU is claiming that some teachers have not been paid for the end of April based on some discrepancies that may have taken place with regards to their certificates and what-have-you.”
On the phone: Oscar Requena, Minister of Education
“Isani, I am aware of that situation and the honest truth is that this is something that dates back to 2012, when the SI was changed, essentially moving the appointment of teachers from the managing authorities to the Teaching Services Commission and for quite a long period of time the appointment of teachers was something that was overlooked by the managing authorities and even the Ministry of Education up until 2020/2021 when this process was seriously looked at and the whole process of dealing with the proper appointment of teachers was really followed through and this has created some problems for some teachers. But I want to say to you that significant work has been done on this process and I am very confident in telling you that the process has been moving steadily and it is not as if though the ministry is not addressing this matter.”
