The Barrow Administration has been in government for a few weeks shy
of two years. That means that it is a time for some stock-taking and the first
to take up the challenge is the Ministry of Education. That Ministry has forged
ahead with tough policy decisions, perhaps more than any other. And depending
on who you listen to, they’ve either done the most progressive or the
most unremarkable work. But, for sure, they have remained engaged at the forefront
of the national dialogue and today they held an event to catalogue their accomplishments.
And, like any feast of unchecked self-congratulation, it took a while. I was
there throughout.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
The tedious three hour long presentation offered a detail, perhaps too detailed
overview of the work accomplished by the Ministry of Education over the past
two years and outlined the plan forward. It addressed many issues from the state
of the economy to crime and the commitment that MOE’s main client, the
children of Belize will not be ignored and left.
In his address to the large gathering of educators and stakeholders in education,
Minister of Education Patrick Faber stated that the situation demands that business
does not continue as usual rather the challenges that confront the education
system and the society at large should compel all of us to action.
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
“We know that for many Belizeans the impact of the global economic
crisis on Belize is of great concern. We also know that in the face of crime
and violence in Belize, that Belizeans are concerned about their safety and
security. If you have not been personally affected by these issues then you
probably know someone who has. Where we are today did not happen over night.
My friends we cannot continue to do the same things and expect different results.
That is why I am calling on all educational stakeholders, all Belizeans, in
making those difficult decisions to do things differently. Change we must and
change we can. We need your support because it is everybody’s business.”
Today’s press conference included a Power Point presentation by the Chief
Executive Officer David Leacock. The display familiarized the audience with
the new organizational structure in the Ministry of Education.
The Chief Education Officer Christopher Aird gave an overview of the various 
councils that have helped in the task of making better the education in Belize
like the National Council for Education that includes representation from the
MOE, school principals, NGOs, the Teacher’s Union, professionals in education,
business community and parents. What is their role? To advise the Minister and
his Ministry on issues affecting education in all areas in the delivery of the
service.
Christopher Aird, Chief Education Officer
“Relations between managements and teachers, it includes concerns
of the sectors of the education system where improvements and changes might
be under consideration such as the expansion of the coverage of childhood education.
I would like to also say that we are serving clients whose numbers are increasing
daily. We need to find ways to serve more and more children and ultimately all
children which is part of our vision, which is part of the drive of the Ministry
of Education now.”
The National Council for Education at times will also serve as an arbitration
panel to address disputes and appeals. Then there is a National Council for
Technical and Vocational Education that it is proposed will be incorporated
into a Single Education Act.
Christopher Aird,
“The proposed revised act is also acknowledging the vision of this
Ministry, that there ought not to be a complete separation of those sectors
of the education system because they represent a total whole and if we are to
ensure that we are indeed on a road to catering to all children, our strategies
would have to be such.”
The National Council for Technical and Vocational Education is represented
by NGOs, National Trade Union Congress, Association of Professional Engineers,
Labour Department, Tourism Board, Chamber of Commerce and Belize Business Bureau,
Human Development Department, Enterprise Development Agency, PUC and Ministry
of Agriculture.
Finally the Regional Education Councils as legislated in the proposed revisions
to the educational act will soon become district educational councils. Today’s
gathering was also introduced to the heads of education services and heads of
district education centres
Other accomplishments highlighted was the three hundred dollar subsidy for
some seven thousand primary and secondary students, high school equivalency
programmes for out of school youths and an increase of finance to $8.6 million
to fund scholarships. The Ministry of Education in its quest for excellence
has committed to be more responsible, accountable and transparent.
It was also noted that there are 1,220 students on scholarships at
the University of Belize and an additional two thousand, nine hundred and fourteen
are presently receiving financial grants.
The Minister of Education Patrick Faber also took time in winding up
his presentation to deny recent allegations made by UB students that their scholarships
have been taken away by government. Minister Faber responded today by saying
that is not the case but in an effort to be more efficient the Ministry has
required the tertiary unit to ask the students to re-register and provide reasons
why their scholarships should not be discontinued especially in cases where
students have extended their scholarships from two to five years. Minister Faber
said of the 1,220 students that just over two hundred have decided to go through
the re registration process
He says the Ministry of Education remains committed to helping more
students and those scholarships he has cancelled are for those students who
are receiving fifty to sixty thousand dollar scholarships. Minister Faber says
they made the decision to cut those scholarships to ten to fifteen thousand
dollars to ensure that more people will be able to access the doctoral programmes.
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