District council implements school reforms
Earlier this week Cabinet announced approval of an initiative that promised major changes in the way Belizeans are educated. Today the people who will make those reforms work on the ground got together to begin the important task.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
Part of government’s plans to reform Belize’s education system is the establishment of the Belize District Regional Council. The body consisting of four men and seven women was inaugurated during ceremonies at the Belize District Education Centre on Mahogany Street in Belize City.
In his opening address, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education Dorian Barrow, says that the council promises to revolutionise education in Belize.
Dorian Barrow, CEO, Min. of Education
“The principal function of the regional education is to manage the region’s education system. It’s a management function. The Regional Education Centre will function as the secretariat to the Regional Council and all the matter relating to education in that particular region will have to be deliberated on by the council and the decisions will have to be taken…the difficult decisions at times, will have to be taken in terms of how the region is going to be managed. This is part of a greater scheme of what we call decentralisation.”
And it is this form of decentralisation that Education Minister Cordel Hyde says is long overdue.
Cordel Hyde, Min. of Education
“What it means is that we’re putting the power in the hands of the people who deserve to have the power. Under our education system as it is presently, the Ministry of Education has too much power in Belmopan. It is unable to adequately address the needs of two hundred and eighty primary schools, ninety plus pre-schools and thirty-four secondary schools. So we are reforming how we manage education and putting the power in the hands of the people at the local level, so that they can help us in this process to provide good quality education.”
And in order to realise good quality education, the council has to set high standards.
Cordel Hyde
“They will hear appeals from teachers, schools, or even student who are aggrieved, but more importantly they will deal with the whole licensing issue. They will vet applications for prospective teachers and also for those in the system who need to be licensed. In speaking to members of the Regional Council, they are excited and looking forward to that because they feel that is the most critical exercise that they will have to do, in terms of helping to change around education and ensuring that the quality is here. As I said to them, the only thing worse than not getting an education, is getting a bad one. So it is their task to ensure that the teachers in the system who get licence deserve their licence.”
The Belize District Regional Council will also look at failing schools in order to find out why they are not doing so well, and make recommendations.
Cordel Hyde
“We have to make some serious decisions where the mere existence of some schools are concerned. Because it just doesn’t seem we’re spending our money wisely, or at least, we’re not getting enough out of those schools. So we have to look at the problems, try to address them and if they can’t, then make it the tough decisions.”
Education officer Faye Gillett administered the pledge to the new council.
All
“We shall faithfully ascertain proper licensing of all teachers. Review and improve school rules…”
Rita Coleman
“This is a great challenge to me and I’m willing to put in my full worth in it. I think it’s something that is long overdue and I’m really willing to work hard with the other members of this team.”
Linda Miguel
“It will enable me to be in a position, situation where I can monitor the entire education system of Belize. I feel like I gave so much knowledge over the years working throughout the entire system to bring to bring to this council and to aid the reform that is now happening. It is long overdue, and I hope that I’ll be able to give all I can to make the council do what it has been appointed to do.”
Encarnita Bennett
“Many time people don’t know what takes place within the pre-schools. We’re always left behind, so I think this is a good move for the pre-schools.”
Dwight Tillett
“It means that for the first time people like me who are in the midst of education get an opportunity to have a real input in the decision-making and the planning. For not just secondary school where I work, but for primary and pre-schools as well.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
In elections held this morning Dwight Tillett and Fiona Stephenson were named chair and vice chair respectively of the council.
