A Group of UB Students Walk Out of Classes to Attend Anti-Corruption Demonstration
The march was well underway, when a group of students staged a walk-out of classes from the University of Belize in Belmopan and travelled to Belize City to participate in the demonstration. They didn’t make it in time for the parade, but attended the rally at the Memorial Park. The decision by the students was triggered by a memo issued by the administration of UB, stating that classes were not cancelled for today. While this morning was not like in 2005 when students were pulled out of their classes in protest of the then administration, the group of twenty-five students says that they are concerned about their future and that of the country. Sydellie Leslie and Abbie Godoy say that there are many factors that influenced their decision today and that millennials, like themselves, are often afraid of using the power of their voice.
Abbie Godoy
Abbie Godoy, Secretary of Programming, University of Belize
“Following the memorandum yesterday, we realized that the university didn’t release a statement; it didn’t send an email whether or not we were going to be demonstrating, cancelling classes. So this morning, we decided well you know what, we didn’t hear anything back and what we really want to do is go and show our support for this movement; it is very important for every Belizean to come out here. So we decided to walk out of classes; we just asked other students if they were willing to join us. We got a bus on our own accord and were just like we are going to Belize City and that’s what we decided to do.”
Duane Moody
“How many of you guys decided to take that step?”
Abbie Godoy
“I think it was around twenty-five of us, but I am very proud of that number because it is more than one.”
Duane Moody
“Why is it that we are not seeing more young people exercise their voice?”
Sydellie Leslie
Sydellie Leslie, Finance Student, University of Belize
“Well really I think it really ties back to the education system and the way the economy is set up because as I have mentioned in previous interviews, the government is the biggest employer in the country. And there is a certain fear that—not that there is any proof that the government would fire anybody that comes out, but you know. And the problem is in the education system, most Belizeans only go up to high school. There is no implementation of teaching of how the government works, public policy, none of that. So how then can you expect an uneducated populace to act when they are not informed? They don’t know. If we don’t educate people, how do we expect them to act?”
