Opposition Party Criticizes G.O.B. Loan to Improve Quality of Education
Said Musa
Members of the Opposition questioned the purpose of the loan, pointing out that there is a lot left to be desired for Belize’s education system. While the education system isn’t perfect, PM Barrow says that today’s signature programme calls for a celebration.
Said Musa, Area Representative, Fort George
“I would like to hear from the Minister in what way would it assist you and the government of Belize to spend twenty million dollars to carry out this quality improvement because clearly there is need for quality in our education system but I am not too sure that this money will be spend on more workshop. Is that it?”
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
“I believe all of us have seen where we have made very, very good investments in teacher training, that education is advancing in this area and in fact this is a continuation and a further expansion of efforts to ensure that a good quality education is afforded. I do hear some protest. I would hope that we can support this. There is nothing to hide Madam Speaker while we are making another loan that is their cry; this is a loan that is being barrowed to move us in the forward direction.”
John Briceño
John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
“The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education have been saying especially the Minister of Education that they have been spending a lot on teacher training but we are not seeing the results when it comes to the PSE in the primary level. We are spending all of this money but something is not right. It seems to me from this what we are talking about that this is just another project, spending twenty million dollars bringing people MIT but what are going to be the tangible results?”
Oscar Requeña
Oscar Requeña, Area Representative, Toledo West
“When you look at the results of our national performance in our standardize examinations whether it be the Belize Junior achievement test or the Primary School leaving examination, madam speaker let us be honest we all know that there is a lot of work that needs to be done in that area.”
Dean Barrow
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Obviously our education system as the Minister said it isn’t perfect. And as he said that is why we continue with initiative such as this one to try and make it better. Let us not get into why the results are where they are because I don’t want t point any fingers at anyone but the facts are the facts and given that those facts are what they are we can’t sit on our hands and do nothing. It is a constant battle. It is a constant struggle and every time there is a signature program such as this one can in fact be pioneered by the government of Belize I believe that is a time for celebration.”
