Education Ministry follows up on summit
The term “summit” has become fashionable in recent years. Usually we report on a big build-up, a climactic meeting, a long list of resolutions… and that’s the end of it. Today, however, there was actually some follow up. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
These students representing pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions were among the first recipients of the final report of the National Education Summit that was held exactly one year ago.
Dian Maheia, Action Plan Coordinator
?The purpose of the summit was to bring together as many stakeholders in the education system as possible so that we could hear from them what their concerns were about our system, what was wrong with the system, and what we could do to make it better. Our goal really is to reform our system of education in Belize.?
So what changes have been mandated? Chief Education Officer Maud Hyde highlighted some of the key areas where improvements will be made over the next five years.
Maud Hyde, Chief Education Officer
?Effective August 2005, four of our junior colleges and the University of Belize will be partnering with the Ministry to offer Teacher Education Programmes, leading to an Associate Degree in Teacher Education. this certification will receive both local and regional validation.
?Redesigning the Special Education Unit to become the national resource centre for special education is the beginning for developing a much more vibrant system where client referrals can be managed and schools can be better served.?
?A large number of our young people have not, for one reason or the other, been able to access training that can lead to meaningful certification that will aid them in gaining employment and a better standard of living. The Adult and Continuing Education unit of the ministry will be enhanced to be able to coordinate the development and delivery of programmes leading to primary school and high school equivalency certification.
?The curriculum must be developed to aid students to develop life skills and practice healthy living. Health and family life issues will be promoted through meaningful activities and resource materials addressing the key social issues.
?A national campaign will be launched to address the teaching of Spanish so that the next generation of Belizeans will be better able to interact with our Central American neighbours.
?We plan to take technical vocational education to higher levels of efficiency and productivity, certifying our labour force with credentials that will be regionally recognized.
?We will continue to work hand in hand with the University of Belize and all our tertiary institutions to ensure that higher education in Belize is next to none and well able to stand up to regional in international scrutiny.?
The publication focuses on eight key areas including early Childhood Education and Development, Teacher Training, Adult and continuing Education, Curriculum and Assessment, Technical and Vocational Education, Special Education, and Higher Education.
Dian Maheia
?The plan is a practical plan in that it has goals set for the different months, for the different years. So we are not trying to do everything all at once, so I think that will help us given the reality of what is happening right now within our country.?
Minister of Education Francis Fonseca says his government remains committed to the cause of education.
Francis Fonseca, Mister of Education
?Education commands some twenty-five percent of the national budget and our government will not change that. But we must give the Belizean people value for their dollar. They demand it, we expect it. We are as a result of our consultations, better informed, better equipped, better prepared to meet the challenges of providing a quality twenty-first century education to our people.?
An Action Plan Secretariat, which will oversee implementation, will be established within the Ministry of Education. The Secretariat will oversee its implementation. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.
