On Friday, May 13, 2022, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) received a donation of 260 laptops from the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) at a ceremony held at Sadie Vernon Technical High School in Belize City.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the MoECST was Ms. Yolanda Gongora, Chief Education Officer. She expressed sincere gratitude for the donation on behalf of the Ministry and praised the diligence of the team at BSIF. She also highlighted how the donation will bolster the Ministry’s endeavours at promoting the use of technology throughout our schools. Speaking on behalf of SIF were Mr Carlos, Tun, Executive Director, and Mr. Marcello Blake, Board Member. 
They both spoke on BSIF’s commitment to join the efforts of the Ministry at enabling an environment for expanded technology education and better student performance and preparedness of the students at the recipient institutions. Schools slated to receive the laptop computers and accessories are Belize Rural High School, Sadie Vernon Technical High School, Maud Williams High School and Gwen Lizarraga High School in the Belize District and Bella Vista High School in the Toledo District.
The laptops were procured in collaboration with the United Development Program (UNDP). Each device comes with Microsoft Office Professional 2019 software, a minimum of one (1) year warranty, a wireless/bluetooth mouse, a Dell-Pro briefcase suited for a 15.6” laptop, charging carts for up to 12 laptops per cart, an eight-outlet power strip surge protector and cable lock for the laptop. The total value of the donation was BZ$679,393.95 with the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Belize contributing BZ$645,424.25 and BZ$33,969.70, respectively.
