Central American Integration System officials meet to discuss education

Today officials of the Central American Integration System, SICA, met on the University of Belize campus in Belmopan to discuss education – or rather the future of education within a new framework. That framework is called the Central American Education Policy, and is a set of guidelines which will endow the region with a general action structure where education is concerned, in accordance with identified regional priorities. It’s a lofty proposal with specific goals, and there was high level representation at the forum today – from Belize and our Central American partners in SICA. The session included a presentation of Belize’s own Education Sector Strategy and a discussion of possible regional education projects. Director of UB’s Office of Public Information Selwyn King today told News Five that it is fitting that the University of Belize plays a vital role in the discussions.

Selwyn King, Office of Public Information, UB

“The meeting is being hosted here at the University of Belize whereby the education sector is looking in terms of data—movement and transfer in terms of students moving from secondary into the tertiary level.  So it is a discussion that the president is representing the university along with Doctor Priscilla Lopez, the acting dean of the faculty of education and arts.”

Reporter

Selwyn King

“How close are we to actually seeing something like that happening?”

Selwyn King

“Well I think there are all these possibilities because in terms of as long as you maintain that dialogue and data is critical… I recall just a couple of weeks ago, we had the SIB report launched here at UB. We have an agreement with SIB. And when we look at the report in terms of the demographics of exchange, in terms of the educational sector which communities, districts is graduating with the most, I think we need to pay special attention. And it allows you then to put reinforcement in those areas which are challenging. So it is critical because education is the bedrock to our development. It is building bridges to the future. We have a very young society—population of approximately three hundred and fifty thousand—and when you look at the numbers, we have a very high percentage under the age of thirty-four. So we have to utilize how best education can be ready equip them in terms of making them relevant development skills training. They are the next voices that will be heard on the horizon and it is important that they receive the proper training and we equip them with those skills.”

The presentation of the Regional Education Policy Proposal was done by María Eugenia Paniagua, Secretary-General of the Central American Educational and Cultural Coordination of the Central American Integration System.