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Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials
The San Pedro Sun
Carnival Vista's first call to Belize
On December 27th, 2016, Belize welcomed the Carnival Vista in its first call to Belize. The Carnival Vista is the largest ship within the Lines' fleet with approximately 3,936 passengers (double occupancy) and 1,450 crew members. The customary plaque exchange ceremony took place on-board the ship between the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the Captain of the Carnival Vista.
The ship was completed in March 2016 and delivered on April 28th 2016. The ship's maiden voyage embarked on May 1, 2016 from Trieste, Italy on a 13-day Europe Cruise that ended in Barcelona, Spain. From May to October 2016 Vista operated an inaugural season in the Mediterranean before re-positioning to New York to offer a pair of cruises. In November 2016 she move to her new home port in Miami where she will sail year around. She offers 6 and 8 day Caribbean cruises with ports of call such as Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Aruba, Cura�ao, and Bonaire.
Ambergris Today
Caye Caulker Cancels Lobster Fest 2017
Lobster Fest is an annual event that many look forward to every year. Wether you attend in San Pedro, Caye Caulker or Placencia it is bound to be a great time. Unfortunatley, the Caye Caulker Lobster Fest Committee has announced that they won't be hosting the festival for 2017. The committee officially announced it on December 21, 2016, via its Facebook Page that their Lobster Fest has been postponed until 2018:
Carnival Vista's First Call to Belize
On December 27, 2016, Belize welcomed the Carnival Vista in its first call to Belize. The Carnival Vista is the largest ship within the Lines' fleet with approximately 3,936 passengers (double occupancy) and 1,450 crew members. The customary plaque exchange ceremony took place on-board the ship between the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the Captain of the Carnival Vista.
The ship was completed in March 2016 and delivered on April 28,2016. The ship's maiden voyage embarked on May 1, 2016 from Trieste, Italy on a 13-day Europe Cruise that ended in Barcelona, Spain.
Misc Belizean Sources
Job openings in San Ignacio
for Front Office clerk, sous chef.
Bartender training resumes in January starting in Belize City on January 24th 2017
Belize City:
Location: BTEC Building at ITVET compound
Introduction to bartending. Date: January 24th to 26th. Cost: $250 p/p
Advanced Bartending: Date: January 27th to 31st. Cost: $400 p/p
Master Class in Flair: March 11th to 13th. Cost: $650 p/p.
We are offering great discounts for a limited time.
See other dates below.
Inbox or text 626-7518 to secure your space.
We also help in finding jobs.
The biggest New Year's Eve Countdown Celebration on Ambergris Caye. Looks like FUN!!
Join us to bring in the New Year 2017! The San Pedro Town Council presents the New Year's Eve Countdown at Central Park on Saturday, December 31st - starting at 10 PM!
All the way from St. Maarten in the Caribbean, we bring to you DJ OUTKAST! And joining him after is the Caribbean Roots Band from Corozal! There will be party favors and a SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY!
Don't miss out!
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE MARINE MULTIBEAM AND SEA SEEP SURVEY
The Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum hereby invites the general public to a public consultation on the Marine Multibeam and Sea Seep Survey that the Government of Belize intends to complete in the deep offshore territorial waters of Belize, through the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum and the Geology and Petroleum Department. The consultation will be held on January 18, 2017 and will be repeated on January 25, 2017. Both sessions will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City. Information will be presented on the survey methods, techniques, equipment used, environmental concerns and mitigation measures, the products of the survey and the benefits to the country. The public will have an opportunity to clarify any concerns and to share their views on the survey.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister Rt. Hon Dean Barrow, visited his new ministry, the Ministry of Natural Resources
The Rt. Hon Dean Barrow, visit to the Ministry of Natural Resources along with Hon. Dr. Carla Barnett, Hon. Vanessa Retreage and CEO Sharon Ramclam-Young.
Simone BIles speaks to Belizean Youth
"Follow your dreams and have fun!" Simone Biles, an American Olympic gold medalist gymnast with Belizean roots inspired and motivated Belizean youth at the Bliss Center this morning.
"Oops"
Not so under cover cop vehicle crashes into store on Central American Boulevard on Wednesday, December 28th in Belize City.
Embassy donates 12 bullet proof vests to the MIT
The Embassy is proud to partner with the Belize Police Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT) to further enhance safety and stability in Belize! Recently, the Embassy provided the MIT with 12 bullet proof vests, the total value of which is USD $6,000, and which the MIT will use during their law enforcement operations across Belize.
New exhibit coming at Museum of Belize
Look out for the launch of a new exhibit at the Museum of Belize (NICH) in conjunction with our 15th Anniversary, coming this February 3rd, 2017! #ElCimarr�n
New Years Party at Secret Paradise Beach Bar
Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 11 AM - 5 PM
Onsite Masters Degree Scholarships
The Organization of American States (OAS) in collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) herein offer Onsite Masters Degree Scholarships in English to applicants who merit top scores.
Selected candidates will be required to apply online to VUB; having accepted the OAS offer.
The application deadline has been established at January 31, 2017.
Further, the OAS, VUB and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT in the USA) are also collaborating to offer opportunities and the offer is herein attached under separate cover. The language of instruction will be English, the different deadlines indicated in the attached as well as the application protocol.
Poets Corner: Economy!
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez.
We are missing opportunities
Where are Belize's uranium, marble and agriculture industries?
Belize already has nuclear energy
With all the uranium in this country
Dah nuclear Science wi pickney fi di study
Where are our nuclear scientists of this country?
Why are we not exploiting this facility?
Belize has the second largest Barrier Reef
We don't know the medicine in the reef
These two things, also will give us debt relief
Australia has the largest which not as vibrant as ours
Yet they make almost a billion off visitors
Meanwhile Belize is seismic testing to sell oil rights
Belizeans have to stand up and fight
Food security is a necessity
The Belize dollar di bottom out already
Hector Silva has told us this subtly
It was devalued in 1950
Signaling he is a part of PUDP
Tell us the dollar is getting ready to devalue
And it won't be the first time he knew
He said this softly
Saying emphatically he knew since 1950
Even though many denied its reality
Simone Biles' Motivational Ceremony
A motivating, one-on-one, session for young Belizean athletics and students at the Bliss Institute for the Performing Arts.
Education USA Belize welcomes Belizean and American high school students
Today, Education USA Belize welcomed Belizean and American high school students who shared tips on selecting and applying to colleges and universities in the United States. The students discussed the application process, placement tests, financial aid, and many more topics. We hope everyone involved found the session helpful and wish them good luck!
Channel 7
Ministry Says School Starts Next Tuesday
Tonight, if you're a parent of a child in pre, primary or high school, you probably aren't sure what to do with them next week: should you keep them home, or send them to school? And that's because there have been very conflicting messages coming out of The Ministry of Education and the School Managements on one hand, and the Teachers Union on the other.
Up to yesterday the BNTU sent a release telling teachers and students to enjoy the full three weeks of their Christmas vacation - and return to school as originally scheduled on January ninth.
Well, today the Ministry of Education sent a public service announcement clearly re-stating the official position. It says, quote: Teachers and students at pre-primary, primary and secondary levels are to report to school on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017
The announcement adds that School Bus Runs will be operating starting on the third.
Newlywed Killed In Traffic Fatality, On His Wife's Birthday
Last night's news was all about the high profile traffic accident where the UDP's Alfonso Noble knocked down and killed Gilbert Meyers on Christmas Day. Well tonight, the news is of another fatal traffic accident.
In this case, the tragic loss is compounded because the victim, 38 year-old Josue Alfaro just married his new wife on Christmas Eve. He was home to spend the holidays, which should have been their honeymoon. But instead, he died yesterday - which also happened to be his new wife's birthday.
We had a few late breaking details last night, and tonight we have a more complete story for you. Daniel Ortiz reports:
Alfonso Not A Jehovah's Witness
And turning to the Christmas Eve accident, where Alfonso Noble knocked down and killed Gilbert Meyers, there is a new wrinkle tonight. Noble's attorney, Herbert Panton yesterday claimed that his client refused to give police a blood sample because he is a Jehovah's Witness. Well, the social media blowback from that has been fierce and furious. And pictures such as this one from 2011, which shows him giving blood for HIV/AIDS testing have been widely circulated.
We also found a story from our archives, when Noble was a part of this newsroom. It's from 2006, when he was covering the story on why members of the public should not be afraid to know their HIV status. Here's a snippet of that story:
Three Men Shot In City
There was a shooting on the southside of Belize City a short while ago. It happened at around 6:00 this evening at a mechanic shop on Jane Usher Boulevard. According to reports, two men were working on a car at a mechanic shop when a gunman pulled up. Reports say he shot them both, plus one other person who was nearby. All three were rushed to the hospital and are reported to be alive at this time with varying injuries.
Latest information says that one man, a 50 year old was shot to the hip, while another man was shot to the leg and arm, and a younger male, in his teens, was grazed to the back.
Senior Citizen Fought Off Armed Attackers
Henry Bulwer has been selling fruits at the corner of West Collet Canal and Raccoon Streets for the last six years. But last night the 73 year old had to fend off two armed attackers. They demanded that he turn over his money, but instead of handing over his day's earnings, Bulwer decided to fight back. He told us how.
Henry Bulwer, Fruit Vendor:
"I was about to close in just as a lady came to buy something from me, meanwhile I went inside to carry on putting up my stuff. Two man approached me directly with guns and said 'give me the money'. I wasn't consistent with that when he said 'give me the money' I decided that they won't get any money. So we started talking to him meanwhile but he looked like he was about to shoot so I aggressed him and they continued on tasseling with me. I told him 'I have no money' then I decided I was going to call for the police. There was a tassel between me and him and a young man who was out there too helping me, he moved off because he saw a gun. I got my elbow and shoulder hurt and that was part of what really happened there."
OW Grocer Shot In Armed Holdup
A Chinese businesswoman was shot last night in an armed robbery at her grocery store, Taisan Supermarket. Three of her customers were also hurt.
At around 8:00 a masked man strode into the store and shot 42 year old Yan Zhen Yu to her left abdomen. He then raided cash register, taking an undisclosed amount of cash, and dashed off down a dark alley nearby. Five customers were inside the store at the time, and three of them suffered minor injuries while trying to escape.
Police have reviewed surveillance video, but it isn't clear enough to identify the masked suspect.
Brazen Xaibe Holdup
Armed robbers also terrorized a business in the Corozal district. It happened yesterday afternoon at 4:30 when men who had shirts pulled over their faces, held up Aurora's Store, popularly known as Reyes Store, in Xaibe Village.
They met three females - including a 15 year old minor - tending the family owned business - along with two female customers, one a senior citizen, the other a child.
The young male robbers weren't fazed, and pulled weapons on the cashier, demanding cash.
They helped themselves to a thousand dollars and a cell phone from one of the customers, and then fled on bicycle, heading towards the Phillip Goldson highway.
But Police responded quickly and villagers helped them to find a young man hiding in one of the cane fields. He was found with the stolen cellular phone in his pocket. He also led the Police to a fake firearm which he claims to have used in the robbery.
Cayo's Alleged Granny Killer Well Known To Police
Cayo police have more background information on 24 year old murder suspect Trevor Jones. He is accused of killing 68 year old grandmother of 29, Paulina Urbelina Sanchez.
He was arrested on Sunday, and charged with murder yesterday. Police say that he is well known to them and has had run-ins with the law from age 12. They say he has been in and out of jail since then and just recently he was released from prison for a firearm offense.
But Jones's involvement is just one part of this murder case. Reports are that he was hired by a relative to execute Sanchez. The suggestion is that the relative wanted Sanchez out of the way to take her property. Police say they have not established that connection as yet.
Succotzeno Killed In Melchor
A watchman from San Jose Succotz was stoned to death and robbed in Melchor over the weekend. Marvin Tut went to spend the holidays with his brothers in Melchor and on Christmas day he went drinking with his friends. He had just gotten paid and reports are that earlier in the day he took out his money in front of everyone at the bar. Well later that night, a couple guys went looking for him and they went to the same bar he was drinking at earlier, and that is when the men stoned him in his face and killed him. They stole over $400 Belize dollars from Tut. His brothers found his body thrown in a football field early boxing day. When we called Cayo and Benque police, they both said they did not have any information on the murder. So, the family has to follow up with police in Melchor to get justice for their loved one.
Police Plod Along With Pakeman Case
Rural Eastern Division Police have still not completed their investigation into the March 2016 accident that killed mechanic Dean Dawson and implicated Government Press Officer Dorian Pakeman. You'll remember that ACP Edward Broaster told us in our pre-Christmas interview that the DPP has given them directives to complete the investigation file. Broaster said that his officers would have done what was requested by the end of last week.
So, what's the hold-up? Well, he told us that they haven't finished due to delays at the National Forensics Laboratory:
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Rural Eastern Division:
"We have not been successful as yet. One of the main problems that we have is with the - or one of the main challenges we're having is the fact that we need a report from the National Forensics Laboratory regarding some samples that we have sent, and to date, those are not forthcoming, and that's the only thing that is holding up the culmination of this investigation."
Police Detain Michelle Moreira's Husband, After Her Body Found In River
One case that the police are having more success with is their murder investigation into PG native Michelle Moreira. She was found washed up in the Belize River three weeks ago.
Up until last week, police couldn't identify her. Since then, however they've gotten in touch with her family, and they've also been able to put together a general idea of her last days alive.
Today, police told us that they have detained a man she was in a common-law relationship with, and he is being questioned for inconsistencies in his story:
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Rural Eastern Division:
"We have properly identified Michelle Moreira, yes. We are in contact with one of her sons, and we have detained one individual who is believed to be in some sort of a common-law relationship with her. He was questioned."
"We still have him in custody because he told us that the last time he saw Michelle Moreira was the Saturday prior to her death, and we have information that he was with her the day prior to her death."
Multibeam Makeover, this Time With Consultation
At the end of October, the MV Northern Explorer left Belizean waters under duress. The ship was supposed to have conducted seismic surveys in offshore Belize. But after massive push back from the citizens of San Pedro and the conservation community, the government was forced to shut down operations.
But apparently that was not an end to the effort. It's being reloaded, except this time with consultations. Today, the Ministry of National Development and Petroleum announced that it will be holding two consultations regarding the Multibeam surveys and Sea Seep surveys. These are similar to the ones the Northern Explorer was conducting.
The Ministry will go over the methods that will be used, as well was what they are looking for and the benefits of the information. The floor will also be open to the public to ask questions and express their concerns about the operations.
Simone's Session With Youths
Winning five medals in the gymnastics competition at the Summer Olympics. Before Simone Biles, no American woman had ever done it before. That's a singular distinction. And for her unmatched accomplishment, Biles was yesterday named the Associated Press female athlete of the year - beating out perennial favourites such as Serena Williams.
What would you like to ask someone who'd done something so singular?
Well today, Belize's young athletes got just that chance when Biles participated in a question and answer session with students, athletes and fans. Our cameras were there to capture the event...
Reduced Charged For Travaun
29 year-old Nigel Castillo is a Belize City resident who was shot in July after he reportedly had a misunderstanding with a group of young men, and a police constable. Well, 21 year-old Travaun Chee, one of the men who was charged for the shooting, has gotten off the initial charge.
Today, when the case was called up before court, the prosecutor told the court that a directive has come from the DPP's Office to withdraw the charge of attempted murder. That was formally done, but Chee still faces charges of aggravated assault, wounding, and use of deadly means of harm. He's currently out on bail for those charges.
Jeep Swerves Out Of Control On Crowded Boulevard
Last night, a Jeep SUV barreled into a storefront on Central American Boulevard. A bystander who works in the hardware sotre told us off camera how he was almost run over:...
Voice of Worker:
"I was standing outside, about to cross the street when I saw the vehicle took the curve and it looked like he lost control and crashed into my boss' fence and knocked down his door, if I had stood a little longer on the street I would have gotten knock down too."
Courtney Weatherburne, 7News:
"So you said it was a Coast Guard type vehicle?"
Voice of Worker:
"No a coast guard was driving it. It was a 4 door tinted vehicle."
Courtney Weatherburne, 7News:
"And you are not familiar with the driver?"
Voice of Worker:
"No, no."
A Race For The Ages
On Sunday - the KREM New Year's Day Cycling Classic will have its twenty-fifth running. Cycling historian Kwame Scott told us what to look for in this year's race and why it is a race of consequence:...
Channel 5
Newlywed Josue Alfaro Crushed by Bus on Wife's Birthday
The spate of traffic fatalities continues across the country, the most recent collision claiming the life of a newly-wed on Wednesday night.� The Sandhill Villager was driving his pickup truck [...]
Alfonso Noble, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Refused Blood Sample
Is Alfonso Noble a religious convert and if so when did he become a Jehovah's Witness?� Late this evening, attorney Herbert Panton issued a statement concerning comments he made in [...]
Ladyville Police Still Waiting for Dorian Pakeman Samples
Last week, you heard ACP Edward Broaster say that they were waiting for lab results from the national forensic lab in the Pakeman-Dawson case. ACP Broaster was hopeful that they [...]
2 Accidents in Orange Walk; Youth Dead, 11 Injured
A total of sixteen persons were injured in five separate traffic accidents over the Christmas weekend. Of these, twelve were involved in two separate accidents in the Orange Walk District. [...]
David Andrews' Grieving Family Speaks Out
He was the baby of their family, the apple of his mother's eye. Ramona Carcamo, a vendor known as "Mama Chula," joins the long list of grieving Belize City mothers [...]
Jane Doe No More: Suspect Being Questioned in Michelle Moreira Murder
Last week we told you that Police have since identified the homeless woman as - Michelle Moriera- whose body was retrieved from the Belize River two weeks ago. Moriera's badly [...]
Secondary School Principals: It's Back to School on January 3rd, Not 9th
Is the Belize National Teachers Union alone in its face-off with the Ministry of Education over the resumption of classes in January?� The Belize Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, [...]
Teachers Expected to be Back in Classes Next Tuesday
According to Longsworth, there are no indications from secondary school teachers that they will be absent from work on Tuesday.� In the interest of high school students who will be [...]
Police Progressing Slowly in Trio Arson Case
It has been six weeks since five families were wiped out by a fire in a hidden corner of Trio village, Toledo District. The incident appears to be linked to [...]
1 of 2 Defendants Freed in Attempted Murder Case
A rookie cop and his friend were accused of the attempted murder of Nigel Castillo in July of this year after a shooting incident at a basketball court behind the [...]
Accused Robber Picked Up for Another Charge
Twenty-five-year-old Stanley Moore is back on remand at the Belize Central Prison tonight after being read two charges in connection with the attempted robbery of an elderly businessman on Wednesday [...]
Consultation on Multibeam and Seep Sea Survey Coming in January
Government is holding a public consultation on marine multi-beam and Sea Seep Survey. In a release issued today, the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum says that they, along with [...]
Simone Biles Concludes Belize Vacation with Motivational Talk to Athletes
It was Simone Biles' last day in Belize and after a week of enjoying all that the country has to offer, her last activity was to have an open talk [...]
Sports Council Director Calls on Sporting Associations to Step Up
The event today saw the participation of many sporting associations and their respective athletes. But for years now, the criticism is that enough funding has not been made available for [...]
What's Your Healthy New Year's Resolution?
Committing to acts of self improvement or making resolutions is a common tradition that many undertake to start a new year. It's commonly cited that only eight percent of people [...]
CTV3
Chinese Business Woman Shot During Arm Robbery
Forty two year old Belizean Chinese businesswoman, Yan Zhen Yu is lucky to be alive tonight after she was shot last night while at her business establishment, Taisan Supermarket located in the Louisiana Area here in Orange Walk Town. Reports indicate that sometime around 8:00 in the evening one male individual, wearing a mask over his face entered the store and fired a single shot which caught Yu on the left side of her abdomen. The robber then proceeded to open the cash register taking an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the area through a dark alley nearby. There were approximately five customers inside the store at the time the crime was being committed, three of whom suffered minor injuries while trying to escape.
BNTU Sticks To Its Guns, Classes Reopens January 9th
Tonight the burning question on everyone's mind continues to be, will classes resume early in the new year- on January third? That continuous to be the date implemented by the Ministry of Education and the School Managements but the BNTU tonight remains on the position that classes will resume as regularly scheduled��on January the ninth. Luke Palacio - President of Belize national Teachers' Union:
"For the Union we say that classes resume on the 9th of January."
Reporter:
"Do you regret the confusion that all this standoff really caused?"
Luke Palacio - President of Belize national Teachers' Union:
"Well to say that we regret might be so but we are more concerned that after all our efforts, all our attempts trying to get the management and ministry to the table with us try and ensure that there this smooth transition after the court ruling at least up to this point giving us granting the injunction that things could have work out for the intention of all of our citizens but the bottom line remains that our teachers and our students deserve their three weeks holiday..."
Tug And War Between MOE And BNTU
Students, parents and even teachers are caught in what has become a thug of war between the Ministry of Education and the Belize National Teacher's Union over which date classes should resume, following the Christmas and New Year's holidays. As you already know, it is customary that the holiday lasts three weeks, which would see classes start on Monday January 9th, but due to the Union's 11-day protests in October, the Ministry of Education advised Managing Authorities to find ways of making up time and the new date proposed by Managing Authorities is January 3rd. The BNTU issued a release yesterday indicating to their members - the teachers - that classes shouldn't open until the 9th. In response, the Ministry of Education issued a statement reminding teachers and parents that school reopens on Tuesday, January 3rd. According to the Ministry, the Government will even provide a bonus to teachers who end up going to school from January 3rd.
San Andres Chairman Demands That Roads Be Fix
Christmas has come and gone and the Chairman of San Andres Glenford "Choco" Melvin did not get one of his Christmas wishes. This wish was to see the roads in his community free of pot holes. The main San Andres Road, particularly a section about 900 feet in length, leading to the cut-off to the Corozal Community College and Corozal Junior College, is in a seriously dilapidated state. Today, Choco called us out to the road section to show us how bad it is and to call out the elected area representative Hugo Patt for neglecting one of his duties. Glenford "Choco" Melvin, Chairman, San Andres Village:
"We have a lot of pothole for many years and whenever the ministry of works come and fix and as you turn behind you there they have a pile of white marl and they throw it in the hole but the next day when it rains it just washes out and so you can see a vehicle gong and see the condition and see how it bouncing and bouncing through the hole and the first thing concern of the owner of the vehicle especially the taxi man that would pass in front of me and say Mr. chairman please fix the road we are paying more tax in our taxi which in we don't receive those taxes is the government so the question is what are they doing with these moneys..."
More Delays On Dorian Pakeman Case
Approximately nine months have gone by since the death of Gardenia resident 45 year old Dean Dawson and still no charges have been levied against Director of the Government Press Office Dorian Pakeman, the man believed to be responsible for causing the accident. While authorities keep on reiterating that they are awaiting instructions from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on how to proceed with the long overdue case, there is one major setback which was identified by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edward Broaster during an interview with the media in Belize City earlier today. Edward Broaster - Assistant Commissioner of Police:
"One of the main problems that we are having is with the or one of the main challenges we are having is the fact that we need a report from the National Forensic lab regarding some samples that we've sent and to date those are not fore coming and that is the only thing that is holding up, the culmination of this investigation."
BNTU And MOE Try To Solve Their Issues Out Of Court
On December 16th, officials of the Ministry of Education and executives of the Belize National Teacher's Union met at the Supreme Court where their respective attorneys informed the Chief Justice that they were accepting his advice to seek mediation to resolve their differences. As we had previously reported they were given 45 days to arrive at an agreement and today Vice President of the BNTU, Adelaida Guerra, spoke of the advancements of the case. Adelaida Guerra- Vice President of the BNTU:
"We have not had any meetings as yet but what was mandated in the court we have 45 days to work the mediation process."
Reporter:
"Would you have expected that at least one meeting would have taken place yet despite this break?" Adelaida Guerra- Vice President of the BNTU:
"I would have hope we would have had one meeting that is true but looking at it being holiday time I guess the mediator might have had some other commitments or something like that so I don't know why we were not called to any meeting yet."
BAPSS Sides With Ministry Of Education With Reopening of Classes
While the BNTU has made clear their position of returning to the classroom until Monday January 9th, the Belize Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, (BAPSS) and the Belize Association of General Managers of Pre and Primary schools reiterated today that they are on the side of the Ministry and are urging all students, parents and teachers to show up for formal classes on Tuesday January 3rd, 2017. In a release, BAPSS Chair, Omar Longsworth wrote quote "This position was taken as we are convinced that these four days will provide students with meaningful instructional time that was lost during the eleven days of strike action taken in October 2016. It is our hope that all stakeholders in education will be supportive of this decision as we continue to provide for the best interest of our students." End quote