Local News

In a press release issued today the Nation Builders national youth movement has claimed solidarity and joined with the students of the University of Belize to declare its vehement opposition to any kind of increase in fees at the national university.

According to the release this position was taken because after comments made by the Minister of Education Hon. Patrick Faber during his presentation at the Budget Debate on Thursday, July 12, and reiterated during a recent television news interview that an increase in fees is due if we are to improve on the quality of education.

The organization says they cannot accept any increase in fees and will stand shoulder to shoulder with the students who would be negatively affected by it. The release went on to say It is outrageous to deliberate an increase in fees at a time when the socio-economic conditions in our country have become a great pressure on our people. It is even worst to do it at a time when access to tertiary education among the adolescent population is a measly 5%-7%. The group believes that more emphasis is needed to get more students into tertiary school, instead of creating obstacles for them.

The release ended by applauding the Minister for acknowledging the need for quality education, but we remind him that education is a right and not a favor; therefore, it must not be reliant on student fees. The group called on the Government to show that it is serious about youth development and to make every effort to make education EVEN MORE affordable and accessible to our young people.