Tonight there is a resolution to the story 7NEWS first brought you last night about a standoff between students and the administration at the Corozal Junior College. Yesterday students protested in front of the school's gate over a decision to lock the gate. The students claim it is to prevent them from buying food from across the street, while the school claims it is just for security. Today the scene was set for another face-off until the Ministry of Education intervened. We put together today's sequence with footage and interviews from our affiliate at the Northern Cable Company and camera-man/correspondent Morris Cocom.
Keith SwiftReporting,
Instead of reporting to the classroom, this morning for the second consecutive day a large group of Corozal Junior College students reported to the protest line in front the school's gate. They were once again protesting school management's decision to lock the front gate.
Reuel Sosa Henry, P.R. Officer for CJC Student Council
"They have made it clear this morning that they are not going back to the classroom until those gates can be opened permanently and even if the gates are open they are going to boycott the cafeteria and snack bar until services are improved. They have said the food at times is a little bit cold, its food from the day before, and they can improve with the amount they serve; sometimes they feel as if though the people serving in the cafeteria count the amount of grains they are in putting in their plate. So things like that they are looking at for change and they want to make sure that the Board of Governors set a check and balance that will ensure that all the changes will be permanent inside the cafeteria."
CJC Student #1,
"We're not going to stop until the gates are open and he said that probably one gate could be opened. He did not want to say which one and we stressed that we want this gate to be opened."
CJC Student #2,
"Mr. Shoman said that 90% of the students went back into classes I want to make a correction of that. It was about 90 to 95% of the students that were out here supporting the cause because the gates were not opened. And he said that all classes were held and that is not so because only like 2 classes were held yesterday because all the students, and even some of the teachers, were out here supporting the cause. We just want to make it clear that the students are supporting."
By 10:30 the crowd had swollen to well over 150 and the students began the familiar chant, "we shall not be moved." They would not be moved,
not even at the request of the school's Dean Jose Mai who pleaded with the students to return to class.
Jose Mai, CJC Dean
"So we are asking that you go back to your classes and…"
Student,
"And this will be opened and we can go out when we want?" [Referring to gate]
Jose Mai,
"This will remain open, which is what I am saying."
The students didn't buy it and as they waited, they pooled resources and purchased water and biscuits, which were distributed. Their wait though wouldn't be much longer as about half hour later Mai returned with a letter from Chief Education Officer Maud Hyde.
Jose Mai,
"I won't read if I have the media in front of me."
{Students Erupt insisting he read it.]
Jose Mai,
"Let me read the letter. It says, 'in light of the unfortunate situation that has evolved at Corozal Community College, which is resulting in students protesting outside the school compound, I am requesting that every effort be made on the part of those involved to ensure that students of Corozal Junior College return to the classroom. At the moment I am instructing the Dean to open the pedestrian gate of the school until the matter can be more effectively resolved.'"
And as ordered before noon, the front gates at Corozal Junior College were opened and students returned to the classes. But they made it clear their fight for free choice isn't over.
Reuel Henry Sosa,
"If the students are not satisfied, the feedback I am getting right now is that they are planning to return back to a demonstration and until now they will be boycotting the cafeteria because that's one of the things they believe need improvement. Just about now the students have decided that they won't purchase from the cafeteria eventhough the gates are open. They will be over purchasing from the business from across the street so that's what the students have decided for now and they are very very strong minded and determined about it. Yes they are returning back to the classroom but it will be until Friday."
That meeting between the Student Government Association and the School's Board is scheduled for Friday morning.
