body,td,th { font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; }
Eight schools across the country gathered at the BHS gymnasium this afternoon, where ten students participated in a National Debate, hosted by the People's Constitutional Commission. The students were divided into two teams, one debating the negative and one the affirmative of the question, "are our fundamental rights and freedoms listed in part 2 of the constitution enough?"
Today the PCC chairman explained that the idea was actually proposed by BHS months ago. The high school's principal told us that it was important for the students to push themselves to understand the constitution.
Anthony Chanona, Chairman, PCC
"This event started as a brainchild of the Belize High School back in December of 2022, shortly after we launched on the 14th of November, we were approached by the Belize High School to consider conducting such an event and at the time we were trying to get orientated to the work itself and when we got out of orientation and into public outreach, we reached back into Belize High School to say that we were now ready to consider so really and truthfully, we're here today because of the initiative, the hard work, and the dedication of Belize High School."
"I was first of all very encouraged that young people in a society or in an environment of social media to have taken the time to undertake this exercise which meant doing some research. It also highlighted to me, the importance for young people to be aware of the constitution and I think today's event delivered that. I didn't look as much to the veracity of questions and answers but more to the passion of the young people embracing a document like a constitution which is a very difficult document to understand and they attempted to do so."
Jamie Usher, Principal, BHS
"As an educator. A part of opening the eyes of our students is getting that critical thinking, getting that analysis and evaluation. And it comes from something that we start when we learn how to read. Reading and comprehension is one of the first subjects that our students learn. And we've always been a country that champion literacy. So it really goes back to the grass roots belief that the more we read, the more we know."
"And so I feel that with greater vocabulary, with greater reading documents like the Constitution that are written in another language will not be as intimidating to our students. We are used to reading blogs and very comfortable social media conversations, but I challenge that there is nothing wrong with your brains hurting a little bit because it means that you're working so I would say that I would enjoy a constitution that not only has language that allows for you to demonstrate your use and your vocabulary, but also understandable."
"So I think that comes from our young people rising to the occasion and then making it a usable document. We have been championing the fact that win or lose pro and con arguments will be entered into the conversation. Bringing that boldness, bringing that voice of the youth into the discussion."
And two of the debaters, who both attend Ocean Academy High School in Caye Caulker, explained that the process was challenging but rewarding.
Diany Pech, Ocean Academy High School
"My theme was striving for education and poverty and the lack of health care in Belize. Those are the points they were using. We made sure to focus it all on that. And if somebody was doing something else, we would all bring it back to at least one of those points. I think it's very important. I didn't think I would like something like this because I don't like arguing that much."
"But joining it really made me realize that I just you know, it's a good opportunity for you. It looks really good on your transcript and participation is always important."
Reporter:
"How challenging do you think the Constitution is to understand for young people?"
Zoey Ancona, Ocean Academy High School
"For me, it was a little it was very challenging because it uses a lot of lawyer talk. I feel like there's very big words. I had to Google a lot of words, but with the help of your teacher or somebody, it's really easy, but they should maybe like lessen the use of bigger words or make a version that younger people can understand."
"For me, I'm not good when it comes to researching on Belize things, and it was really hard for me to try and learn and try to defend a topic that I don't agree with of being the affirmative team. And it just took a lot of hard work, a lot of tears, but it was fun for me and overall I learned a lot. As a young person and you're very impressionable. And I think that we should all teenagers and young kids should be knowledgeable on the Constitution and understand your rights solely so you know how to protect yourself and become a proper adult."
At the end of the debate, the negative side won - with the position that our fundamental rights and freedoms listed in part 2 of the constitution are not enough.
