But even as a date for the reopening of schools has not been set, Minister of Education Patrick Faber stressed the need for teachers to continue to prepare for the eventual reopening. The Minister said teachers are to spend time on contingency planning if the situation is to further deteriorate and reopening is further delayed. […]
Before the Minister of Education announced the delay of school reopening, the B.N.T.U. issued a press release to discourage teachers and students from returning to school on Monday. The B.N.T.U. also advised parents not to send their children to school. The union was motivated by the increase in the cases, as well as the fact […]
Keeping it on education, we also asked President Elena Smith about homeschooling during this pandemic. The Ministry of Education has laid out the plans for homeschooling where parents need to hold an Associate Degree to be able to undertake home schools. Senator Elena Smith, National President, B.N.T.U. “I saw some post on Facebook and […]
Turning to the Ministry of Education and the state of schools, the ministry says that schools are in high gear preparation mode for the re-opening of schools on August tenth. Today, Doctor Carol Babb and Cecelia Ramirez-Smith appeared on an episode of Ask the Experts. Babb opened the discussion by sharing that a number of […]
As the COVID-19 cases continue to grow – the concern among many are that schools are not ready and they fear sending their children to school to be exposed to the virus. Well, if you are one of those parents who want to keep your child at home – you may be able to do […]
As COVID-19 cases continue to grow, there are concerns across the country about the reopening of schools. Parents and students are preparing at home in anticipation of the new school year after being out of the classroom for four months and a half. It’s perhaps the longest break they have had in years and now […]
So, as you heard, the National President of the B.N.T.U. believes that majority of the schools are not ready for reopening. Senator Elena Smith says that information was gathered by a survey and at this time, there are mounting concerns among teachers about the readiness of their schools. Another issue that teachers are expecting to […]
Since 2001, the Social Security Board of Belize has given out nine hundred scholarships all to the tune of three point eight million dollars. And for 2020, they have added another fifty-two students to the annual scholarship programme. But due to the pandemic, the S.S.B. didn’t hold its usual celebratory fanfare for its awardees where […]
On Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Belize officially handed over to the Ministry of Education a classroom building constructed through the U.S. Southern Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Programme in San Isidro Village in the Toledo District. On hand for the ceremony was Education Minister Patrick Faber, school officials and families of the San Isidro students. According […]
What can children expect come August tenth? In tonight’s Healthy Living, we find out what the new norm is like in the classrooms. Marleni Cuellar “On August tenth, when schools reopen, students across the country can expect to be greeted at their schools by something like this. A mandatory hand washing station that all […]
Preparations are ongoing by the Ministry of Education to have schools ready for the August tenth reopening, but there are numerous concerns also being raised by parents and other education stakeholders about the COVID-19 pandemic since the reopening of schools takes place just prior to the reopening of the P.G.I.A. Some argue vehemently that with […]
There are some small developments in the matter of the University of Belize and the UB Faculty and Staff Union. News Five understands that on Monday the Union and the UB’s senior administration held a high level meeting. The UB administration reportedly agreed to and promised to disclose the financial records to the union. The […]
While the Indian government gifted Belize supplies to fight COVID-19, the Belize City Council today handed over twenty-five tablets to two Belize City Primary Schools. The recipients, Calvary Temple and Queen Square Anglican, received the gadgets from Mayor Bernard Wagner. The tablets come in handy for online learning. Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor “We […]
As Queen Square Anglican Primary School prepares to take more of its lessons online, Principal Bernadine Conorquie says that there is a lot more going on to get the school ready for its August tenth reopening. Today, the school held a P.T.A. meeting to update parents on the changes around the school. Bernadine Conorquie, […]
A large group of enthusiastic students are getting ready to travel to Taiwan to take on scholarships. Over the weekend, they participated in an orientation programme hosted by the Taiwanese Embassy. The areas of studies range from medicine to engineering. This year, Taiwan has awarded the largest group of scholarships. Here is News Five’s Hipolito […]
In the House today, former Minister of Education Francis Fonseca, while speaking on adjournment, raised the issue of the preparation of schools ahead of the start of the new academic year. His concerns have to do with the tremendous responsibility being placed on principals and teachers without adequate training in how to go about managing […]
Today, the Ministry of Education has reacted to a report on the alleged termination of teachers at Anglican schools. The release is in respect of reports made to the Belize National Teachers Union by several of its members that schools were overstaffed and that there is risk of redundancy. According to the ministry, the Belize […]
While we spoke with National President of the Belize National Teachers Union, Senator Elena Smith today, News Five asked for an update on the situation at the University of Belize, where the livelihood of a number of teachers as well as faculty and staff hang in the balance. The administration and board of the university […]
There is a projected loss of seven million dollars in the university’s cash flow. Back in June, a questionnaire was issued to poll whether faculty and staff would accept a cut in salaries. Among the recommendations, we are told, is the termination of members of support staff, including security and maintenance workers. But are the […]
A Belmopan resident is asking for the public’s support with her annual back to school drive. About four years ago Rocio Quiroz says that she started a grassroots initiative to assist underprivileged students in Belmopan and surrounding villages with the basic school items. This year, Quiroz is asking for support towards her initiative which aims […]
Schools are scheduled to reopen on August tenth and across the country, preparations are underway to keep students safe when they return to classrooms as COVID-19 cases inch upward. The Ministry of Education is putting in place the required protocols for the new normal in classrooms. Social distancing is a major factor under the new […]
The Ministry of Education continues to receive financial assistance, as well as other donations from agencies across the country as it prepares for the reopening of schools on August tenth. A number of organizations and businesses have come onboard with that initiative. While Chief Education Officer Doctor Carol Babb has gone on record to list […]
The northern communities San Felipe and Blue Creek remain under lockdown during a thirty-day state of emergency prompted by a rash of COVID-19. Amid the S.O.E. are concerns about the sitting of CXC exams by secondary students who are unable to leave those villages. There are also fears that there may not be adequate preparation […]
The Holy Redeemer Credit Union gave almost half a million dollars in educational grants in time for the new school year. It is the biggest amount in financial aid that H.R.C.U. has awarded per year. COVID-19 is affecting families all over the country so the grant is much needed to help transition students back to […]
According to residents, some thirty students in San Felipe Village missed their CSEC examinations due to the lockdown. No provisions were made to have them sit the exams at a school in the village. With little money to spare, parents are unable to get their children ready for school. Furthermore, there is no word whether […]
