GoB Begins Roof Repairs at this Orange Walk Central School 

The government of Belize launched a long-awaited project to repair the deteriorating roof of the San Estevan Roman Catholic School in the Orange Walk District. The project is set to be completed in just three months time.

The renovation is expected to provide teachers and students with a safe school building and eliminate issues reported, like “bat infestations, leaks during rainy weather, and exposure to other parasites,” the government said in a statement.

Rosaura Chan, Chairlady of San Estevan Village, pointed out the longstanding need for the project, stating, “Today marks the beginning of an important milestone for San Estevan RC School.” She added, “For years we have hoped and waited for this much-needed improvement, and today, we stand at the beginning of a transformation that will benefit our students and teachers for generations to come.”

The school’s principal, Leticia Perez, hailed the renovation as an “important milestone,” adding that “for years we have hoped and waited for this much-needed improvement, and today, we stand at the beginning of a transformation that will benefit our students and teachers for generations to come.”

Prime Minister John Briceño also attended the ceremony. San Estevan Village falls in his Orange Walk Central constituency. During his address, he stated that although “it is the management that is responsible for these schools, for the repairing of their schools and so forth—not the government.” He added, “But in many instances, the management, the church in this case, cannot find the necessary resources to be able to make these repairs.”

“And so as an area representative, I think I felt it incumbent on me to be able to see how we can find the resources to be able to fix the roof of this building,” Briceño said.

He further committed to addressing local infrastructure issues, including improving the village’s streets to reduce dust. “I know there is also some issues with the streets, about the paving of the streets to try and hold down the dust, so I want to make a commitment that I would try and get that done in the months to come or certainly sometime this year,” he said.