Yesterday when UB students took to the city streets in a spontaneous and illegal protest - it was reminiscent of April 2005. But though the students were defiant and determined to see the Prime Minister - the police did not engage or provoke them. So the event ended anti-climactically - with the students heading home having not gotten to see the Prime Minister to air their demands. So what would it be today. they dutifully applied for a permit to protest, sat out classes and mobilized for a march. But as Jacqueline Godwin found out, what started with a bang ended with a whimper.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
When 7NEWS visited the University of Belize campus in West Landivar we noticed that it was not a regular school day and the students who gathered to the back of compound were not waiting for classes to start but reported to UB to continue the peaceful protest. On Wednesday close to two hundred of the eight hundred and seventy students university students enrolled in the Belize City campuses took the streets demand better conditions that they say they have been requesting from the Ministry of Education for students for the past two years. Today's turnout for round two however was not that impressive.
Moses Sulph, President, - UB Student Body,
"What happen is some of the students decided some do not want to march so we asked them in order to support to us if you do not want to march we would appreciate if you stayed home."
Some students assembled in UB's lobby and at the door. Today the students and their government body were also armed with a permit that gave them the legal authority to hold the peaceful protest. The police showed up prepared to escort the marchers along the route that would take them again to the Prime Minister's office.
As we waited for the walk to commence we were also given a tour of the areas of concern. Inside the UB's Library we found a ceiling desperately in need of repair. A row of shelves has been covered with plastic to protect the books. Jordan Ramclam is just one of the eight hundred plus students who utilize the library. Ramclam says it is more than just a leaky roof that needs to be fixed.
Jordan Ramclam, UB Student
"You come in here on certain days and like once it is raining, the ceiling leaks and you have to switch over and crowd up in one section so that you do not get wet. The books are covered with plastics even the AC leaks sometimes."
The students say while they are grateful for a computer lab which is always filled, the library needs more than just the three computers available to them and the visiting students who also use the facility. Students, like Ramclam, say there are also not enough textbooks available to them.
Jordan Ramclam,
"I am taking some classes and the bookstore does not have anymore
text books for rent and we are out of text books so we photocopy the books but certain pages like they are in colors and you need the colors because they differentiate different things and when you print, you photocopy them they come out in black and white and when you are studying at nights you cannot really make sense out of it."
Then there is matter of the student center that also houses the office of the government student body.
Moses Sulph,
"So this is suppose to be the place where eight hundred students are suppose to hold. Basically over the eight hundred and that we have here in Belize City. "
The students say they not only had to paint the 20 by fifteen structure but refurbished it.
Moses Sulph,
"And this is what they expect us to accept and thern say nothing about it because then it's okay. Well what we are saying is that no this is not okay."
The Belize City student president Moses Sulph says it seems as if the students at the Belize City campuses are being neglected because as they got ready for their second day of peaceful protest today ground breaking ceremonies took place at the UB Belmopan campus for their new student center. The students say just as they are expected to pay the same tuition and fees, they expect to be treated equally especially when they have had to struggle for whatever improvements. We were also shown the parking lot where some work was done to uplift the area but it fell short of what the students had requested that is much bigger space and paved.
Moses Sulph,
"One coat of tar was put on and the gravel was thrown on it thrown on it and that was basically what was paid to be done you understand so w e are saying no we want it to be completed in the length that it was suppose to be completed and also to the stage that it was suppose to have been completed."
Other demands the students are making include a place to eat and buy food because the campus does not even have a cafeteria. There are no recreational sport facilities like a basketball court.
Today the President of UB's student body in Belize City Moses Sulph also took issue to what Minister of Education Francis Fonseca had to say about him and Wednesday's protest. Sulph says he is tired of the accusations of him being politically motivated. Sulph says he represents 875 students, a job he says he takes seriously.
Moses Sulph,
"I have never been manipulated and I will never be manipulated. I will never be a UDP, I will never be a PUP, I will never be a VIP. I will always stand up for this country that's it. I will never be manipulated and I can never be manipulated."
We do not know what really happened between the time we arrived but after waiting close to two hours we were told that there would be no peaceful protest at least not today. The police who were already in position were also informed and soon departed. Sulph then addressed the students about the decision to call off the peaceful protest and address the concerns. We understand some students who had gathered were reluctant to proceed and became uncomfortable with the action taken at this time during an election campaign. But while they did not take to the streets, the students agreed to stay out of the classrooms until Monday February fourth. Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.
This afternoon, Moses Sulph informed 7NEWS that they have decided to cancel the peaceful protest they planned to hold after the general election because they did not want the political climate to distract or overshadow the critical issues affecting them. They will hold a press conference next week to publicize their issues, and put it in writing to all the political parties. A follow up press conference will take place after February seventh.
In a related development, the Belmopan student body today met with their President Alex Anderson and decided to stand in solidarity with the Belize City UB students. According to Sulph, the Belmopan UB students in a show of support did not attend classes for the rest of the day. The Belize City UB students will remain out of their classrooms until Monday, February the fourth.
