Is Our Natural Wealth Really ‘Untold?’

On 1st November 2007, on a local television show in Orange Walk Town, Dean Barrow pronounced “vamos a quitar los terrenos porque es necesario redistribuir,” translation:  “we will take away lands because we need to redistribute.”  While it created some discussion nationally, most Belizeans thought that Mr. Barrow was pandering to his supporters during a national election campaign. After all Belize, unlike some of our neighbours, has always been governed by the rule of law.

Look what we’ve done to our Children!

A few weeks ago my wife came home in a panic. Our five year old is not learning to read. Luckily for us, my wife is a teacher and caught on in time to do something about it and is now making sure that he learns to read.

It is no wonder that the PSE results show that so many of our students are not doing well in these exams. Lately the average passes in the PSE is a borderline C, meaning that students are not mastering the materials on which they are being tested. In 2007, the average grade for math was only 45.8 percent. When this year students were interviewed about the math portion of the exam, they complained about having great difficulty with the problem solving section of the exam.

The Split at Caye Caulker

From as far back as the 1600s, marine journals record the popularity of Caye Caulker – La Isla Cariñosa – with sailors and pirates alike; it became a regular stopping point en route for British buccaneers circumnavigating the globe, who frequently docked on the island to refill water, conduct boat maintenance and generally relax among the locals.  Today, more than ever, Caye Caulker remains popular with travellers from all over the world, although it is often observed that while most Americans holiday in San Pedro, many Europeans head for its smaller and more tranquil neighbour, Caye Caulker.