We turn now to Education Minister Francis Fonseca's comments about the changes that have been made at the helm of the University of Belize. This morning, he told his colleagues in parliament that in his opinion, the national university needs an urgent change in leadership:
Hon. Francis Fonseca - Minister of Education "Madam Speaker, the National University of Belize remains the flagship of our education system. I place on record my deep disappointment at how very little progress our national university has made over the past decade. Sadly, in many respects, it has regressed. We have appointed a Board of competent, committed persons, who have been given the mandate to review, revise and modernize the university, to ensure that the vision and goals of our national university are aligned with our country's national development goals. The board has a duty and obligation to act with a sense of purpose and urgency. As the Minister of Education, I fully respect the independence of the UB board, but I wish to put the new chairman and the board on notice, that I will hesitate to exercise my authority under the law to ensure greater accountability, better quality instruction, improved student performance, and a stronger demonstrated commitment to national service and development. We have no more time to waste with infighting among faculty, staff, and administration. We must resolve the outstanding issues in a fair, just, and respectful manner. We need change and reform at the University of Belize. There are many outstanding members of faculty, staff, and administration, but there are others who are not performing, not fulfilling their duties and responsibilities to our UB community. This is unacceptable, and the board must take action. I thank President Professor Sankat for his service to the University of Belize, but as a new government, a new Minister of Education, I believe that it is time for us to move in a new direction. I believe that UB needs new leadership. UB needs Belizean leadership."
