UB Silent on Alleged Sex Scandal

Patrick Faber

The University of Belize has remained absolutely close-mouthed about reports that three faculty members are being accused of sexual misconduct with students at the facility. There are reports that at least one or more of those allegedly accused have departed from the institution, but again nobody in an official capacity at UB is talking. So when we got the chance to ask Minister of Education Patrick Faber for information, we did. He claims that he doesn’t know any more than we do.

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

“It’s a question that you will need to ask the university officials, and I think because you’re here on the campus you should take full opportunity to ask that. As you know I do not interfere directly into the affairs of the University of Belize. I appoint the Board of Governors here and that is about my role. I have not gotten a formal report of what has transpired so I think that question is best served for the officials here at the university. Let me tell you that we have not supported in any way the behavior of teachers in our system. In fact, while we maintain that due process must happen, there are systems in place to make sure that we eradicate these types of practices in our schools, but there is no foolproof way. For instance, when a situation arises like this now, there needs to be the investigation, you’ll be aware that false allegations are sometimes made…but I believe you’re heard me on the record saying that the people involved in education teaching in our schools are not the best person and you’ve seen how many attacks I’ve received for that. There are many, many players out there who help to cover what is going on, and when I say that I mean the schools themselves…sometimes the parents refuse to make the complaints, sometimes the schools don’t want to embarrass or they protect, sometimes the churches are involved, sometimes there is politics involved, and there can be no excuse for that. And I want to place on the record certainly my position and our Ministry’s position that that should not be tolerated…these types of cover-ups should never be tolerated. And any person, especially those that are given the kind of sacred trust to take care of our children, this ministry does not condone that type of behavior, and these persons should be dealt with according to the law.”