And while Faber wasn't at the Radisson with the youth apprentices today, he was at the Belize Central Prison yesterday. He was there for a small ceremony yesterday to recognize 9 inmates who sat and passed the PSE this year.
They received certificates for their performance at yesterday's ceremony. As Minister of Education, Faber was the guest speaker, and here's what he had to say after listening to the prepared remarks from the top inmate, Ismael Burgos:
Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education
"You know, our top performer said something that stuck out with me. He said that you have to prepare yourself from in here, for when you get outside. But, it strikes me that there is more to that. The reason that so many of you are in here is that you were not prepared for life from the outside, from then. And that says something. As you may or may not know - does of you who don't know, I am a representative, and I represent one of the worst divisions in terms of behavior and conduct, in Belize City, the Southside of Belize City, Collet Division. Right, John Lobo? One of my constituents right there. And I am sure there are more. I am just not looking to see everybody's face right now. I say this because of too many of your young men - and I'm not making excuses for anybody."
"Too Many of our young men - and even young women - end up in this situation where they are incarcerated because they are not preparing for the world."
"It is sometimes because of your own doing, or sometimes because the system has failed you."
Several of the 9 inmates came from Wagner's Youth Facility, and the others were from the Cindy Gregg School inside the Prison. The school is part of the Prison's rehabilitation policy to prepare prisoners for their re-entry into society after serving time.
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