Will S.J.C Steal U.B’s Thunder? Not At All, Says Education Minister
In 2021, Saint John’s College was granted a license to operate as a four-year institution, now making it one of three tertiary-level educational institutions that offer undergraduate and graduate studies in Belize. But how has expanding the capacity of S.J.C. from a sixth form affected the country’s national college – the University of Belize? The Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca says not at all.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“U.B is making great strides under the leadership of Dr Vincent Palacio. We have new leadership there, we have a new sense of purpose, new energy, we have a very good board of directors so I think U.B is making great strides, and we had – and I certainly – had consultations with the chairman of the university and the president before supporting the application from St John’s College to become a four-year institution. We all felt that, listen, U.B needed to do more, U.B needed to do better, so we want to push them, we want to encourage them, we want to motivate them. So they see what’s happening at S.J.C as an opportunity to say to their team “we have to do more, we have to work harder,” so I think that’s providing greater opportunities for Belizeans. Through S.J.C it’s an excellent opportunity. That does not take away at all from the great work that is taking place at the University of Belize.”
Reporter
“Do you think U.B can withstand the competition, especially in the Humanities area because as you know, the Humanities (course) that’s in Belmopan.”
Francis Fonseca
“No, No, absolutely, absolutely, U.B has strong enrolment and I can tell you that every single day at the Ministry of Education, we hear from students who need support and want assistance to attend the University of Belize. I think U.B has established a very good, high standard in the Humanities in particular and I think that will continue to be the case. They have a very good reputation and I think students will continue to be attracted to the University of Belize.”
