Research Institute partners with city high school

The Petters Research Institute, founded by Dr. Arlie Petters, one of Belize’s most famous and brightest sons, partnered today with the Belize High School.  The B.H.S. opened its door only last year, but it is miles ahead in using technology as a learning tool in the classrooms. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has a report on today’s signing.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Belize High School might be the new kid on the block here in the Old Capital but it is quite easily among the most technologically advanced secondary school in the country.  Despite a small enrolment its classrooms are equipped with the latest academic tools to foster learning.  It is also the first high school to partner with the Petters Institute by signing unto a memorandum of understanding which will see both organizations collaborating for the benefit of its students.

Arlie Petters

Dr. Arlie Petters, Founder, Petters Research Institute

“This is a very important step in the history of Belize High School.  It shows that this is a high school that is equated with excellence.  It’s the first time in fact that our institute is signing an M.O.U. with a high school but it tells you [that] they want to set a bar excellence that will get our Belizean young people into the best schools not only in the U.S. but in the world.”

Christopher Coye

According to school administrator Christopher Coye, beyond modern technology is a focus on student development, a path, he says, B.H.S. is committed to in preparing them for college.

Christopher Coye, Administrator, Belize High School

“Many have heard about our laptops in the classroom, smart boards and language learning using online tools.  If that is what you think B.H.S. is all about however, you have missed the point.  While these are excellent teaching tools that virtually no other high school in Belize has yet introduced these are not the nuts and bolts of B.H.S.  B.H.S. aspires to be the path for college education in Belize, not just a path for a high school diploma.”

Petters, on the other hand, believes that setting a benchmark using B.H.S. as an example will see other schools following suit in enhancing education through partnership with similar organizations.

Dr. Arlie Petters

“I believe every country has to have flagship schools of excellence and in my opinion the Belize High School, already with its infrastructure, it’s technological infrastructure, it’s emphasis on early college learning, it’s emphasis on one on one, small classrooms, excellent teacher/student ratios.  Those are the metrics that you want to have set for the other high schools in Belize and it’s human nature that when they see a particular school excelling then it lifts the bar for everyone.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.