hello all im claire am married with two teenage children, its our dream to move abroad and run our own small resort, what is Ambergris caye like to live in and can anyone give me any info at all on schools, medical and if its worth it to up sticks and get a mortgage on a resort

thanks x

anyone? x

You may want to do a search on this board and also the Belize Forum. Lots of info, lots of issues. Wishing you the best with your adventures!

This site is quite helpful I think. http://belizefirst.com/livehome.html

Dear Dreaming
Before you "pick up sticks" read the book "Don't Stop The Carnival."

Whatever you do come here for at least three months, preferably six, before you make any long term committment.

i read lan suders books too before getting here. there is nothing to completely prepare you, just come with an open mind.

suffice to say, many many many of us are completely in love with the place.

Dreaming of sun, Don't stop dreaming but please - visit until your children are raised. There are no schools here for teenagers, that remotely come close to a High school in the States or Canada. Teen years are tough enough without having to deal with a different culture, loss of friends, and getting a sub-standard education.

indygal - I might agree with different culture & loss of friends - but sub-standard education???? I don't know any Belizean child that has moved to the states or Canada that has been "held back". Most of the Belizean kids I know end up as A and B students if they go up to high school or college.

I grew up here in Belize and attended San Pedro High School. I may not be a lawyer or a doctor - but that is by choice not because of inability.

I am totally gob smacked that you believe the Belize education system is sub-standard. In fact I am so amazed I can't even type anymore right now!!!!!

Dreamin of the sun. Why not call the new owners of Capricorn Resort. They just moved here with 2 teens. I am sure that they would be very pleased to answer your questions - they are lovely, friendly people.

Amanda, you would know far more about the High Schools here then I. I was thinking of computer labs, chemistry labs, a library with plenty of both books and computers, advanced classes in biology, trig., computer science, music and art. None of these are essentials to education but they are available in almost any high school in the States. For the student with the desire and ablity the special classes are important. Maybe sub-standard was a poor choice of words, you can chauk it up to my poor education (in the States).

As someone who graduated from High School in Belize City in the early seventies, it amazes me that regulars to our country (granted maybe they only see things through their sunny glasses while sipping panty rippers) can speak of an educational system they know very little about.
Amanda (as do many Belizeans) has a right to be offended by your statement but I will just "chalk" it up to your being uninformed.

Do you not think in 30 years that the educational system in Belize has gone it to decline

I think that can be said of all the Western world.

Yes but we are talking about Belize, I have been told that over 50% of teacher's here are not qualified to teach.

I do not think that goes for the Western world as well or maybe I am wrong

They recently made all the Belizean teachers take the CXE exams which they teach and their students have to pass. A very large percentage of teachers failed the exam.

That is my point, well said

So, the US public school system isn't in decline? (Not counting the rich white neighbourhoods)

We have enough qualified Belizean teachers here, thank you, and they are more qualified now than 30 years ago.

We actually are not a bunch of ignorant bastards down here that need to be learned from "qualified" aliens.

SIN

A private High School was started by some Texans, my daughter realy enjoyed it, till' they closed.

SIN

The high schools have science labs, music and art curriculums, advanced sciences and mathematics classes, computer labs, libraries, sports facilities and events. Certainly not "the best of the best" like they might have in the US, but I can certainly tell you that most of my friends that have kids in high school in the States are not happy with the quality of education.

As SIN said, the only stellar experience we had with a kid in high school in the US was at a very cost private high school.

I guess those folks that live here, make Belize their home and take the time to learn about the communities that they live in, and eventually earn the right to vote will be able to be as happy and proud of our small accomplishments as I am.

SIN were did you go to school.

Last year the children going to High School took the PSE why did 60% fail.

We will find out soon how many failed this year.

I do not feel the government puts alot of energy or consideration into education, and how stupid is that,with the City crime and all. If they did the children on Caye Caulker would be able to get more than a 6th grade education. In order for them to continue in school they must go to San Pedro or Belize. What makes this impossible for most is the $10 a day water taxi fare they have to pay. You would think the government or water taxi ass, would do more! So there you have it, too young to work, no education, its a dangerous situation. A private high shcool was built her, free of charge for a number of students to attend, but the government put a stop to that. Would not let the US teachers come teach!!!!!

I should note that I was not referring to The Water Taxi as an ass, it was meant to be short for association!!!! OOPPS

Well, as I mentioned - I grew up here along with my sister. Back in 82 or 83 she took the pse (different name back then) and she scored top in the country - can't remember 95% or so.

Back in 2000 one of the kids we financially sponsered scored a 96 or 97%.

My daughter was in the 90's and won the national spelling bee at the same time as the pse (so was studying for both.)

You can lead a horse to water....

Cooper, even private high schools have to abide by the rules. US teachers still need to get work permits, as do foreign doctors and other professionals.

Yes, it sucks that the water taxi is costly for kids to go to high school from Caye Caulker, but somebody has to the pay for the fuel. We can't constantly have our hands out for donations, and those that can donate have limitations too.

Although kids from CC need to travel to San Pedro - at least they have options.

Could you tell me the pass mark then Amaanda. I have been told it was 60%, last year was 50%, so if this is true the pass mark is getting lower.

Grade inflation is universal.

That is one of my points. Last year 60% did not pass at 50% how many would have failed if the pass mark is 60%.

Over all the educational system has gone in to decline.

If the pass mark is lower and fail rate is higher then something is WRONG

Let's just keep the name "Belize" but make it just like the US, cause' EVERYTHING is so much better in the US, I mean, they must be the smartest people on Earth (next to Asia).


SIN

My point had nothing at all to do with the students who make high marks, Actually in the majority of countries in the world education is not free, even to the 6th grade. I would think perhaps the Government here could subsidize the water taxi, but I know it will never happen. My point was that with a brand new school building built here,sitting empty. with qualified teachers whom I am sure would apply for work permits, other teachers come from abroad, The Mormon kids come down on their 2 year ministry and get permits very quickly. It has been said over and over again on the local news about the shortage of teachers here. Why let it all go to waste. We have over 600 kids here that deserve an education, this would not have fixed the situation but as they say BABY STEPS! I believe this was probably a happier place when it was enough to fish, and farm. When their used to be enough fruit trees on the island, everyone had enough to eat without spending a dime. Before T.V cell phones and computers brought in the rest of the civilized world. The fruit trees are all but gone, fishing isnt what it was, its just harder now for a child to go uneduated.

Volunteer teachers are great, Mormon's, Catholic and other relig. groups and Peace Corp! They have helped a lot, in the Cayo district for one (I personally know).

Even if working as a teacher here at $US100 per week is basically volunteer. Many locals are doing it.

Who's up for it?

SIN

I believe the pass mark is and has always been 70%. I might be wrong - but I have never professed to be an expert regarding the government examination boards.

My Mom is of Chinese descent and born and raised in Borneo (British commonwealth.) So that is where I get my smarts from!

I always thought you genius Amanda!

Hello Amanda,

I am very sorry but you are wrong my son took the PSE last year and the pass mark is 50% now.

The classroom test's are 70%

Hello people--I am new to the board--my moniker is 'ink' never mind trying to put the various letters in front ot the name--just INK will do! I have been reading the discussions about education and so forth--seems the world over has the same problem with education and those who teach others.
For myself I found that teaching was (and is) very rewarding as far as feeling good about doing something for the world or some other human--my gripe is that as educators we are grossly underpaid and for the most part not recognized for the contributions we make to the students and the community. Now if we were only put on the same level as say a football or basketball player with the same salary----?????. Think this is just sour grapes? : )

Teachers work 9 months a year, have numerous days and weeks off through out the 9 months they do work but still gripe about what they are paid! Am I the only one tired of hearing "poor me, I'm so important, and so unappreciated"? The truth is most people are not appreciated for what they get paid to do.
Next time the trash men come and empty your garbage go out and tell them you appreciate their work and give them a coke. Then you can go back in your home and be glad you have an education and only have to work 9 months a year. Appreciating others is so much more rewarding then expecting to be appreciated.

My two cents for all it is worth. There is no better way to spend your money than on the youth. When we fail to recognize and expand their potential, it is the death of a culture. Have you gotten close to a Belizean famuily and see how they treasure their kids? Unfortunately most governments do not realize this until it is too late. Most teachers teach because they love to teach, not for the money. But if they can no longer afford to put food on their tables they have to make a change. My wife was a teacher in New Jersey after we got married. Starting salary was 8K US per year, several years later the program was started to raise salaries to much more reasonable levels so that teachers did not have to take 2nd and 3rd jobs to make ends meet. As far as Belize goes, no one is in it for the money. They do it for the love of the kids. Any one who thinks they have it well off, try and live on their salaries. Just my opinion.

Hi indygal and dabunk--good thoughts. First indygal--what makes you think that teacher only work 9 months of the year? We contract for that time at whatever the school district is offering as far as salary and benefits are concerned. The rest of the months are (for most teachers)upgrading, completing classes at the colleges or university, revising class content and so forth. It just appears that we 'don't work' for three months. Not trying to be obtuse here just stating what I know to be the facts with my group.

Dabunk has it correct--if you can read this thank a teacher! even if it is your parents, someone taught you how to read and function--we are all each others keepers. Cheers!

I would rather send my children to school in a landfill, in the impoverished third world, with starving classmates with a 50% faliure rate THEN HAVE THEM GET SHOT.

Enoch Brown school massacre - Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States; July 26, 1764
Bath School disaster - Bath, Michigan, United States; May 18, 1927
Poe Elementary School Attack - Houston, Texas, United States; September 15, 1959
University of Texas at Austin Tower Massacre - Austin, Texas, United States; August 1, 1966
Kent State shootings - Kent, Ohio, United States; May 4, 1970
California State University, Fullerton Library Massacre - Fullerton, California, United States; July 12, 1976
Stockton Massacre - Stockton, California, United States, 1989
University of Iowa shooting - Iowa City, Iowa, United States; 1991
Simon's Rock College of Bard shooting - Great Barrington, Massachusetts, United States; December 14, 1992
Richland High School shooting - Lynnville, Tennessee, United States; November 15, 1995.
Frontier Junior High shooting - Moses Lake, Washington, United States; February 2, 1996
Pearl High School shooting, Pearl, Mississippi, United States; October 1, 1997
Heath High School shooting, West Paducah, Kentucky, United States; December 1, 1997
Jonesboro massacre - Craighead County (near Jonesboro), Arkansas, United States; March 24, 1998
Thurston High School shooting - Springfield, Oregon, United States; May 21, 1998
Columbine High School massacre - Jefferson County (near Denver and Littleton), Colorado, United States; April 20, 1999
W. R. Myers High School shooting - Taber, Alberta, Canada; April 28, 1999
Santana High School - Santee, California,United States (near San Diego, California)
Rocori High School shootings - Cold Spring, Minnesota, United States; 2003
Red Lake High School massacre - Red Lake, Minnesota, United States; 2005
Dawson College shooting - Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 2006
Amish school shooting - Nickel Mines, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States; 2006
Platte Canyon High School shooting - Bailey, Colorado, United States; 2006
Henry Foss High School - Tacoma, Washington, United States January 3, 2007
Virginia Tech massacre - Blacksburg, Virginia, United States; April 16, 2007

In my humble opinion.

SIN

No decline above, more like escalation.

I hope all of you will join me in prayers for our children who were shot yesterday. It is the most tragic event of our state, and painful for not every Virginian, but every parent.
I can't imagine the fear in every parent's heart who has a child going to college at VATech. I have friends who are professors there, and my heart is so broken that they, along with the families of every student, must go through what they have gone through, then the media sensationalizing it, everyone speculating what went wrong. How about the NRA saying this is exactly why the gun laws need to be lightened up? So everyone will be armed to protect themselves. Now, you know, you WANT to send your children to a school where everyone carries a gun, don't you? Forgive me, but the NRA carries far too much power here in the US. I think I will vote against whomever they support, no matter what the platform.
To everyone who has lost a child, my heart breaks for you, and I pray your hearts pain is eased in good time.

And only a teacher (or their spouse) understands how many hours are spent unpaid on your own time. My wife would spend almost 2 hours of off time for each hour of class time. And how much money we spent out of our own pockets as the school did not find so many things "necessary" and this was in the US. Belize is so much worse on teacher pay and supplies. We have a neighbor who teaches at a government school, and when they give tests they have to make copies for the students out of their own funds. Anyone who teaches in Belize has my respect as they sure do not do it for the money!!

hi s&s--tragic event--what will be learned from this??--a lot of finger pointing and someone (or more)will go down for neglect, not reading that crazies mind when he wrote his stories--everything. Who is to blame!!NRA does not have the answer in arming everyone. It is a shame that we will have to run our schools and Universities like a jail in lock down mode while classes are on. As a retired teacher I know that I and some of my colleagues have felt a danger to our safety in the class rooms, but how to get anyone to believe that?? I grieve for the families and friends of those murdered and injured. Take care.

first, S&S, my deepest sympathies and condolences. the sensationalization of a tragedy is very difficult for those involved. i chose to watch only as much as i need to in order to get the facts, then i change the channel. there are very real people involved in this whose lives are shattered, their wounds will never heal...only get less obvious in time.

as for teachers, i am the daughter of a Philadelphia School teacher. When i was young, my father would come home after having gone through metal detectors etc. phila currently has one of the highest murder rates in the country. teaching there is a combat sport, where, in the school my uncle teaches in, the principle was BEATEN by a student...and all they could do was suspend the FIFTH GRADER!

now, as for the hours they work, anyone who has lived with a teacher knows, all those papers, tests, projects need to be created, graded and recorded. so, while they might only appear to work 9 months out of the year, they are also working about 14 hours a day in order to do that.

without teachers we have no doctors, lawyers or anything else. our values are a bit screwed up here...and the greatest minds, the ones that could be inspiring and enlightening our kids, are going elsewhere as it is nearly impossible to support oneself and ones family on a teachers salary...especially in certain demographic areas.

peace

This side of the Atlantic, it is all too easy to sit and watch the tragic events unfolding in Virginia in the US and think it is a million miles away from the society we live in. The massacre at Virginia Tech was the 19th shooting on an educational premises in the last 10 years in America – an alarming fact but one that Britons seem to believe highlights the enormous gulf between the two societies in relation to guns. People need to stop burying their heads in the sand. What has just happened in the US is not confirmation of how much safer our society is but a stark warning of what could happen in the UK if the growing gun culture is allowed to develop unchecked.
To date, there have been two major killing sprees in the UK and neither of them was carried out by a youngster. In March 1996, 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton killed 16 children and a primary school teacher at a school in the Scottish town of Dunblane and in 1987, unemployed labourer Michael Ryan, 27, went on the rampage in Hungerford, Berkshire, killing 16 before turning the gun on himself. Two truly shocking disasters, but not a track record to match that of the US. We should be grateful that we have witnessed such atrocities so rarely, but we should not be lulled into thinking that a relatively trouble-free past (in relation to gun crime) automatically translates into a safe future.
Violent start to the year

The signs are there that the UK has already begun a downward spiral. In February this year, five young men were shot dead in south London. They weren’t all killed in one incident, but whether that makes the statistic more or less terrifying is difficult to determine. Also in February, three men were shot dead in Manchester in just one weekend. It’s been a violent start to the year and it isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. At the start of this month, a pregnant woman was shot dead at her home in south London. It was in a well-to-do area and didn’t seem to be gang-related. All of a sudden, the gun problem appeared to be spreading through all parts of society.

With gun-related incidents on the up, it is fair to assume that the number of weapons in circulation is also on the up. Youngsters seem to be able to lay their hands on firearms and they are happy to use them. Up to this point, incidents have largely been gang-related, which is a massive problem in its own right, but not the size of the one in the US. The most concerning aspect of this rise in shootings in the UK is that it is only a matter of time before a disgruntled teenager, rather than a gang member, acquires a gun. If that happens, we will not be talking about the horrors of isolated fatal shootings, instead we could well have a massacre on our hands. It may sound like the sort of thing that only happens in the US, but if the guns are there, it is an almost inevitable consequence.
It's not rocket science

So what can be done? A ban on guns is already in place and rightly so, but the ban on its own is not enough to erase the problem entirely. It needs to be properly enforced. A ban without ruthless enforcement is nothing more than a token gesture. Severe punishments for possessing a firearm, not just using one, are needed. Thankfully steps are being taken to put this into practice and this month the government did introduce measures that should help clamp down on gun use, under the Violent Crime Reduction Act. It is a start, but the government must throw all the resources it can into stopping guns getting into circulation. That way the problem can be stopped at its root. If there are no guns, there can be no gun crime. It’s not rocket science. It may not be quite as black and white as that and no system can prevent all guns getting into the UK, but the more effort that is put in, the less guns there will be and the lower the risk becomes of a Virginia Tech-like mass shooting.

An opinion piece by Tom Reed - MSN News Editor

Imagine those who drafted the Constitution, I bet they would have changed it knowing what is happening today.

NRA fa' life [%^$#]!

It's a sad fact that many kids begin to show symptoms of mental disturbances after puberty. Many are very bright intellectually. How many unbalanced students are on a campus of 25,000? Most of those "weird" types are tossed off as a nuisance and are shut out either by their own choice or by others who might be able to get close enough to them to make some kind of difference but don't. It's too simplistic to say that guns alone are the danger in those cases.

As said by Malcolm X quoting Stephen Biko (google it), "Violence begets violence". The chickens have come home to roost. Live by the gun........

A friend of a friend of mine was killed in the massacre. I don't like refering to it as a tragedy, because of the poetic implications of the word. Massacre more accuratley describes what took place.

Massacres occur when there are unarmed victims. Unfortunatley, while concealed carry is allowed in Virginia, it was not allowed on the Virginia Tech campus. A lot of people are wishing that they had allowed properly licensed people to carry.

Quite frankly, when a psycho gets his hands on a gun (which no law can prevent...think about the "drug war") you want guys like me around, i.e. guys with guns who know how to use them. If there had been other people armed, far fewer individuals would have lost their lives. Crazy psychopaths are a fact of life, but allowing them to do whatever they want doesn't have to be.

the constitutional right to bare arms stems from one thing, and one thing only.... No citizen of the US should ever be out armed by their government. that is the purpose of the right to bare arms. if the govt can have an AK47, so can a citizen, thereby creating a balance of weaponry so as to avoid dictatorship and ensure democracy.

i'm not smart enough to begin to hypothesize how to solve the problems of guns and violence in america. but i do believe that the right to bare arms is a constitutional necessity. clearly something can be done to help prevent senseless violence, but i also have to point out that senseless violence occurs, and has occurred since man began walking the earth. it might have been for land, for water, for a buffalo, but by todays standards, those were senseless deaths. think wild wild west.

anyway...

I need some nukes!

Yup!! And tanks, and surface to air missles and . . .

Imagine the human race. Kinda kills the evolution theory. In a million years it is still about who has the bigger club, no matter how you color it. I hope China keeps us in their good books.