DYS Rep Speaks Out Against G.O.B.

Shawn Saldano

The teachers were certainly fired up at this morning’s Belize City rally; and so was Shawn Saldano. If his name sounds familiar, it is because you probably know him from the music track “I am Belize,” or as public relations representative for the Department of Youth Services, which is a Government department. But Saldano did not let that stop him from speaking up today.

Shawn Saldano, Youth Representative

“Of course, some may want to label me now, but I am here to tell you teachers that there is no doubt in my mind that you get my utmost respect and regards. Now the purpose for the strike action—be it the three percent or be it the call for good governance—I continue to hear the words the lack of wisdom, competence and capability. But we must really ask ourselves, who taught you the content that you have and are able to exemplify today. Isn’t it the same educators? The same educators we often disregard; the same educators that we always blame for the failures of our children, when we fail to realize that it take a household to build a child, that it takes the community to build a child and it takes the work of the teachers to build a child.  I hear that they say a statutory instrument. Well dehn done sign it. but you know weh di young people have been saying and if you check the cameras, there was a banner that said, “the Students got yo back.” Because while there are temporary replacements for teachers, there is no temporary replacement for the students if we stand in solidarity with the teachers. And so I tell them, I want it to be known that the objective is not to trample no government; we are not there at that stage very yet because the next government that will be form is thirty-one youth leaders across this country to bring the changes that this nation awaits. If you heard me I said a national youth party which will be a third youth party of thirty-one youth leaders across the party. And I will aspire to be your Prime Minister. Hear why though. Hear why. Yo see ladies and gentlemen, the problems that are happening in our nation; it can be fixed, but we must first learn and understand the government and the people’s affairs dah noh wi personal bank accounts, dah noh wi personal business. And so long as we are a democratic state, we ought to ensure that the voices of the people are heard—be it through consultation, be it through accountable measures; be that you ensure that crime and violence and the investment of our children and young people is our priority. And that is why we are saying we noh gwen no next colors, we gwen for the young people.”