MOE Gives Update on South Side Free Education Program

Francis Fonseca

Earlier today, Minister of Education Francis Fonseca gave an update on the free education program that was launched on south side Belize City. As we’ve reported, this new school year, the program has been extended to five high schools in southern Belize. Minister Fonseca told the media today that the program is already seeing increased student enrolment in south side Belize City and that it’s been successful.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“Very good news in that regard; it’s increased in several schools. Maud Williams [High School] alone this year has gone up almost, I think a hundred new students at Maud Williams. Sadie Vernon, Gwen Liz have all reported increased enrolments. So I think we were targeting a little over a thousand students because before we had about eight hundred and we were targeting maybe an additional two hundred across. We will exceed that. I think it will be probably more like twelve hundred students, four hundred additional students in those schools. And then also keep in mind we have also extended it to south of Belize. Five schools in the south; I believe, three in Toledo and two in Stann Creek and there again, we are capturing another fifteen hundred students with the rollout of that program. So I think it’s been very successful so far and we will continue to invest in that program.”