Education
Ministry of Education discusses the way forward on the re-opening of schools; 2020 high school graduates to be honoured in virtual celebration
The future of schooling in Belize was discussed by the Minister of Education, Honourable Patrick Faber, on Monday, June 8th, via a virtual press conference. Faber announced that the current school year would close at the end of this month, and schools are set to tentatively open for the new school year on August 10, 2020. The presentation also included the plans for examinations for students beginning secondary school and other exams for senior students in high school. In addition, a detailed plan to honour all 2020 secondary school graduates is set to take place virtually on June 21st.
Community and Society
Coral Reef Ed-Ventures Summer Program 2020 is cancelled
The annual educational camp Coral Reef Ed-Ventures will not be taking place in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Organizers hope to be back in 2021.
Community and Society
The Island Academy surprises 2020 graduates following first-ever online graduation ceremony
The 2020 graduates of The Island Academy had an untraditional online graduation ceremony, followed by a surprise certificate drop-off via their teachers and principal!
Education
Tutoring group formed to help during COVID-19 education interruption
Any fourth or sixth form student without access to rigorous online learning may sign up for the tutoring programme led by undergraduates at Harvard and similar university colleges in New England.
Education
Education Minister discusses the way forward for schools in light of COVID-19
Distance and home-based learning are expected to continue at varying degrees at the different levels of education, as the goal of reopening schools before the 2019-2020 school year ends is not guaranteed.
Community and Society
Ambergris Caye students observe National Hand Washing Day
Thursday, March 19th was declared National Hand Washing Day in Belize. The Ministry of Education reportedly sent out soap to all the schools countrywide for students to wash their hands.
Business & Economy
Ambergris Caye Elementary School fundraiser gala raises over $40K for its students
Over $40,000 was raised to assist the non-government school ACES with its costs of operation and their Special Needs Program during a fun evening gala held at Fido's.
Education
The Power of Pleasure Reading: What We Can Learn from the Secret Reading Lives of Teens
"There are many worries about some of the reading selections students have made, hence the reluctance to embrace pleasure as a goal of instruction, or of pleasure reading as an end to itself. However, there is evidence of profound joy and zeal displayed by many of the readers of texts so often marginalized and worry-inducing, such as romances, vampire stories, horror novels, dystopian fiction, and fantasy."