Belize is facing a growing challenge as the country experiences a brain drain in its education sector. Many teachers are flocking to the U.S. for better benefits, including better pay. And now the education sector is facing a new problem. Trained teachers are leaving the profession to work at call centres. That’s right. Trained teachers now prefer to work in a cubicle rather than in a classroom, and this has caused some major concerns. BNTU President Nadia Caliz explains.
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, B.N.T.U.
“I don’t have concrete data, and I know that is something that I need to gather. But the data that was shared with me by MOE is that the teachers who are supposed to join the profession with the teacher training qualifications are going to the call centres, eight percent of them. You remember under Minister Faber, if you wanted to do primary education, you got a scholarship? A lot of those people did not end up in the classrooms.”
Paul Lopez
“And for the U.S., is it a trend?”
Nadia Caliz
“It is a trend, and you have a lot of them preparing to go again because they hear of the wonderful salary and the classroom size. So they want to go to greener pastures.”
According to BNTU President Nadia Caliz, increment payments are still outstanding for at least two hundred teachers. She explained that this is not entirely the government’s fault, and that most of the blame rest with school administrators and management.
Nadia Caliz, President, B.N.T.U
“We have over two hundred teachers that did not receive.”
Paul Lopez
“Was it not the government’s commitment to have all of those teachers receive their payments before Christmas?”
Nadia Caliz
“Yes, that was the government’s commitment, but there is another part to that too. Every time you say something Belize polarize everything, red and blue. Every time you are telling you are either with PUP or UDP. As the president of BNTU I will call a spade a spade and an angel an angel. The government paid what they received. What they got from the management they gave to the management. Discussing with some of the teachers they will tell you that some principals and vice principals who have responsibility over their section and appraisals did not submit their stuff to the management, therefore the management did not submit it to government for them to be paid. So, as a union we have to be fair. So when we step out our data will reflect the percentage that got affected because of administrations not carrying out their duties, management not doing their part and government not doing their part. So we did not just want to step out for the sake of stepping out, because we are BNTU and powerful and we voted in a demonstration. We have to be a responsible body, because we have to be about system change now. We want to change the system permanently and that is what my members need to understand. This is not a fight for instant gratification to get something instantly. Deh days done.”
A Belizean woman who has been living in Los Angeles for the past twenty-five years has lost her home and everything she and her two children owned in the raging fires that have been burning. Anaceli Mendez made a video recording to share with us the sequence of events leading up to and just after her home was gutted by the blaze. She shared that just before the fires, they experienced strong winds that knocked down trees and her fence. The night before her house was destroyed, her neighbour woke her and her son, and she believes that was what saved them from getting burnt in the blaze. Her daughter was at college several miles away, she said. An evacuation order was given for the families in her area early the following morning, but by that time, she and her son had already left with just overnight clothing that they had packed. She said they drove for miles looking for a hotel, and even though their prices were inflated, there was no room. She said they drove for hours and then they got the awful news.
Anaceli Mendez
Anaceli Mendez, LA Fire Victim
“We get evacuated from here at three-forty in the morning. Everybody jumps in their car, and we drive far. All the hotels there, everything booked, everything packed up. And, so you just continue to drive till you can find a hotel. All hotel prices are two hundred and forty U.S. dollars minimum for a night. They just want to raise the prices for everything because they don’t see the situation, right? So then they try and make their dollars work. I end up a good probably thirty miles away. And, the next day we get the notification, or like the confirmation that our house burnt down. I live on a property that had three houses. All three houses gone down. All three families, we packed just overnight stuff, if as much. Everything gone. We were never ready for this. We never think this will happen. It looked like the gates of hell opened because we did drive, and the winds were sixty to eighty miles, and they beat down on the pan, and we did try to drive on the freeway, and you can see all the fire, like the wind blows it towards the car, so you feel the car is not even stable, you feel the car move. I can’t take pictures; I can’t take videos because I feel like I would lose control of the car. It’s sad to see everybody who they are going through right now. It’s sad to see everything. Back here they still have everything locked up. They have the National Guard, and we can’t go up; we can’t even have a little last closure. All I want right now is to just go up and see if maybe pictures survive, anything. I just lost my pa one year ago, and to think that I lose him all over again, but this time, it’s for good because I don’t have pictures; I don’t have anything. My son lost his school. My son lost everything in the house. So we have a life, and we appreciate that, you know.”
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has restricted Starlink Belize operations to specific circumstances after denying its application for a Class License to provide fixed and mobile broadband internet across the country. Starlink services will only be allowed in unserved or underserved areas, on vessels and aircraft under Earth Station in-Motion (ESIM) regulations, and during natural disasters when other providers cannot deliver emergency services. Sheena Garnett, the Communications Director at PUC, provided an explanation behind the commission’s decision.
Sheena Garnett
Sheena Garnett, Communication Manager, PUC
“Let us break it down a little bit. The current telecommunication regulation allows for mobile internet services onboard aircraft and vessels. Because that is already something allowed, it continues. However, it is the end users we are allowing to import and operate these types of Starlink services. SBL’s application is unique because it is looking to provide satellite-based service in the country. We believe those services can be beneficial for education, research, and these types of things in the unserved and underserved areas. We are going to allow end users to operate their Starlink terminals at these fixed locations that are currently in these parts of the country where there is no service or underserved areas where existing internet providers are unable to provide that service.”
The PUC in its decision says it is unable to ascertain the affordability of Starlink’s equipment. As a result, it cannot say if Starlink Belize will be able to provide equitable access to those in economically disadvantaged areas. And then there is the concern of a citizen’s privacy and data sovereignty. Starlink will be able to operate and control a portion of Belize’s communications infrastructure while being a foreign entity. They are not mandated to locally store and process the data they collect.
Stacey Grinage, Legal Counsel, PUC
“As it currently stands, the law as it stands, there are certain legal obligations placed on persons who become holders of your personal information. We are not licensing Starlink. We have not granted them a license. So, some of the obligations that are mandated under the Data Protection Act would not necessarily apply to them. So, my response to that would be that the law in that area is still developing. The fact we have not issued them a license means there is not that legal obligation to comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act also.”
Paul Lopez
“As that to see that they are free to use this data as they wish?”
Stacey Grinage
“Not necessarily. The thing is I would not know. We also had this issue at the PUC. I would not know the specific terms and conditions between Starlink and a customer when it comes to a customer signing up and allowing themselves to purchase a terminal. I think it is something governed by contract between the two people. When we issue a license, we certainly place obligations, data protection obligations, on our license.”
Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, and his administration is already focusing on immigration reform. A major immigration raid is set to begin in Chicago, home to a significant Belizean community, targeting over 300 individuals with violent crime histories. Advocates are concerned the raids could also affect individuals without criminal records or with legal status. The Belizean government has stated it will only accept deportees who are confirmed Belizean citizens, unlike Guatemala, which is considering broader acceptance of deportees. And the possibility of Belizean criminals hiding in the US may be deported is welcomed news, says Police Commissioner Chester Williams.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“It’s a historic moment for America and certainly world is watching. The world is waiting to see what is gonna happen. In terms of people who may be sent back to Belize. We will wait to see who will be coming back. We certainly are looking forward to certain people coming back that are wanted by the police to face charges here in Belize, so we welcome that.”
In an age when a lot of children are glued to their devices and spend a lot of time inside, one organization is working to get children active through basketball. Arana Consultancies hosted its second Peewee Invitational Tournament for basketball teams under the age of thirteen. This is not an age group that we commonly see participating in basketball competitions. But the individuals behind the tournament believe that it is the ideal time to capture the attention of these children and establish the foundation necessary for a successful future. News Five’s Paul Lopez tells us more.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
According to experts, the best time to start teaching children basketball is between the ages of three to five years old. That’s when children begin to develop fundamental motor skills. Unfortunately, this approach has been widely lacking in Belize. That is until Arana Consultancies stepped in and launched the Pee-Wee Basketball Invitational Tournament.
Rumile Arana
Rumile Arana, Tournament Coordinator
“I wanted to engage younger children to help them gather and learn how to play basketball the right way, so that when we get them to that level, U-17, U-18, that we are prepared and ready to take on the world.”
And taking on the world begins with playing against their peers at the under ten and under thirteen levels. A total of eight teams competed in the tournament. One of the primary rules is that every player must get play time, regardless of the size or skill level.
Rumile Arana
“Yo guh for the ball, you get it from Kenetth and run. Once Kenneth guh lef everybody yo give ah.”
And it is not all about winning, though some of these young athletes displayed competitiveness beyond their age. One basketball academy that participated in the tournament is taking training on and off the court to the next level. They are the Conquering Lions, and they went undefeated.
Dianell Brackett
Dianell Brackett, Head Coach, Conquering Lions Academy
“Conquering Lions Academy is sort of a ministry. We link basketball with religion. I use basketball to capture the younger kids. Mainly we would have a lot of bible studies, and I would invite the kids to church on Sundays and also we would go to children camps I am really amazed. Going into this I knew that these kids would have learned, but I never knew they would learn thisquickly.”
Samir Marin
Samir Marin, Athletes, Conquering Lions
“I feel very special because we dah one of the best in the country, it is facts. I feel good.”
Paul Lopez
“What is it like playing with your teammates?”
Samir Marin
“I got one of the best teammates ever. I feel good playing with all of my teammates, confident in all of them.”
John Gillett
John Gillett, Athletes, Conquering Lions
“Sometimes I feel nervous, sometimes I feel excited, but I just want to have fun.
I like to take far shots, because whenever a lot of people are in the paint you have to find ways to shoot or get a layup. So I usually shoot from far.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you have a professional basketball player to inspire you, that you look up to?”
John Gillett
“Kobe and Michael Jordan.”
Samir Marin
“I look up to Kobe and Michael Jordan.”
Paul Lopez
“So none of you look up to Lebron?”
We will leave the so-called king of basketball out of this one. The peewee tournament is however not short of local basketball celebrities, like two-time Belize Elite Basketball League MVP Nigel Jones who heads his own academy the MVPs.
Nigel Jones
Nigel Jones, Coach, MVPs
“To see the progress we made in a year is amazing. Like I catch myself when I am coaching the kids, I catch myself more energized for their games when I am actually playing myself. Just to see the passion, the excitement and enjoyment they are getting form the same game we all love, I am glad they allow me to be the one to help them. Me and the two guys, it is a blessing for us. So, we just thankful for that.”
This is Arana Consultancies second Peewee Invitational. Both were held in Belize City. His vision is to take this on the road with the right sponsorship.
Rumile Arana
“To see the look on those kids’ faces when they are out there. There are children out there getting their first jersey, their first opportunity to run up and down that court. That could be a lifetime of joy for them. From that I could say I am doing something that is fulfilling for me.”
Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The biggest canoe race in the annual canoe racing calendar is upon us. Of course we are talking about the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. Paddlers, in preparation for the big dance, participate in a series of races organised by the Belize Canoe Association. The association held its first race for the year on Sunday, the Loewen’s Boom to Manatee Lookout Canoe Race. Close to twenty canoes took to the Belize River and lined up at the starting line in Burrell Boom as fans flooded the riverbank. Among the paddlers were big names like Slim and Trim Like Guava Limb, Team Lucas Oil Mixed, Black Orchid Resort, and Wave Runners, to name a few. We heard from the President of the Association, Elvin Penner, at the starting line.
Elvin Penner
Elvin Penner, President, Belize Canoe Association
“I think excitement is definitely in the air, because normally for a race like this if we make fifteen, we do very well, and I think we will pass the fifteen by a couple. So, the serious teams. These are the teams you would see giving trouble in the Ruta Maya. These are the teams that come to every race. We have most of the serious teams looking to win a category in the La Ruta Maya. Out of the eight categories in the La Ruta Maya we have at least six winners, probably all eight. This year a lot of teams are just starting to train because sponsorship is a little hard to come by and without sponsorship you can’t buy all these equipment and be out here.”
And the paddlers are off. These athletes dug deep at the start to gain an early advantage in the race. And only a short distance from the starting line, one team found themselves in troubled waters, tipped over, and at a huge disadvantage. Fifty minutes into the race, we caught up with the paddlers in Lords Bank. At this point, three canoes were leading the charge, almost bow to bow. Wave Makers, Riverside Boys, and 2024 La Ruta Maya Champs, Guava Limb. Watch as they maintained momentum, gliding over that beautiful body of sun-kissed water. Lucas Oil mixed team trailed closely behind, followed by team Brothaz and a couple of other canoes pressing towards the finish. After an hour and twenty minutes of racing, it was an all-out sprint to the finish line between Guava Limb and Wave Makers. Ultimately, Wave Makers edged out Guava Limb for the victory. Riverside Boys secured the third-place position. Lucas Oil was in first place in the mixed category.
And from canoe racing, we move into what is unfolding within Belize’s basketball premier league. Tonight, there are still more questions than answers pertaining to the start of the season and the league that will take the lead. As we have reported, the Belize Elite Basketball League seems to be prepared to play ball this season. But a second league has emerged, the Belize Premier Basketball League, leaving fans and athletes alike asking what is next for semi-pro basketball in Belize. Well, we spoke with two-time league MVP Nigel Jones over the weekend to get his take. Here is what he had to say.
Nigel Jones
Nigel Jones, Pro Basketball Athlete
“I think that it could work. I just feel like with the two leagues, whatever they are trying to figure out is possible. It has to be like two different times of the year. I have seen it happen in other countries that I have played in before. You have players play at a certain time and when that season is done the following league happens right after that. So, I think it is going to take cohesiveness. Everybody will have to want to come together and work and it cant be about egos, I did this and did that. Going into the season we have to give the fans and the people that come out and support something that they want to enjoy watching, because without them it is not possible.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you feel like players want this type of cohesion, that it is their desire?”
Nigel Jones
“I feel like at the end of the day we just want to play. For all the players that is what it is for them. We just want to play ball, but we want it to be fair too. So, I feel like if we can come together and do what needs to be done as a collective unit, we can get pass this easily. There you have it, in the words of two-time MVP Nigel Jones, “We just want to play ball.”
And finally, in Sports Monday coverage for tonight, we bring you highlights from the Belize District Football Association’s First Division Tournament. On Friday night the number six ranked team, Kelly Street, played against the team in fourth place going into the weekend, the Reggae Boys. Fourteen minutes into the match, number sixteen for the Reggae Boys, Gentle, found himself wide open with the ball on top of the penalty box. Gentle squared up and launched towards goal, securing the first goal of the match. At the thirty-ninth minute, Reggae Boys number eleven, Perteau scored this difficult kick from an impressive angle. And, sixty-four minutes into match number twelve, Ottley secured the goal of the match with a highflying bullet train that completely evaded the goalkeeper. Reggae Boys won this one, three goals to nothing. Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. I am Paul Lopez.
The High Court officially opened for the 2025 legal year with a traditional ceremony, beginning with a church service at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral. Chief Justice Louise Blenman inspected the ceremonial guard of honour and delivered an address celebrating the judiciary’s progress.
Blenman spoke on the achievements from 2024, such as the reduction of case backlogs and the introduction of criminal mediation. She said, “We no longer have cases as old as fourteen years…their matters being sent down for trial.”
New initiatives include a professional administrative plan for trained staff and digitalising court processes, with a focus on artificial intelligence.
While progress was acknowledged, Blenman pointed out the ongoing challenge of producing transcripts for Court of Appeal cases, promising improvements with a new speech-to-text system.
The Attorney General, Anthony Sylvestre, discussed upcoming reforms, including a new Bail Act. The ceremony also marked the completion of renovations to the historic court building, which was damaged by Hurricane Lisa in 2022.
President of the Bar Association, William Lindo, commended the judiciary’s achievements over the past year.
Belize has officially assumed the chairmanship of CARIFORUM, the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States, for the first half of 2025. Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Osmond Martinez, has assumed the role of Chair of the regional organisation. An official statement said that this leadership shift represents Belize’s growing influence in regional trade and integration efforts.
In preparation for its new leadership role, Belize hosted a CARIFORUM delegation this past week. The delegation, led by Director General Alexis Downes-Amsterdam, engaged in a series of discussions with Belizean officials. The talks focused on several key areas, including policy dialogue, development cooperation, and ongoing trade agreements with the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).
During these discussions, Minister Martinez pointed out the need to rebrand CARIFORUM to better address the current challenges facing member states. He stressed that the organisation must prioritise initiatives that will bring tangible benefits to both individual countries and the region as a whole.
CARIFORUM is an organisation that brings together Caribbean nations to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation. It aims to boost regional development through collaboration on important issues such as trade, education, and climate change. The group is part of a broader coalition, the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) group, which includes countries from three different continents working together to improve their global standing and development outcomes.
