MoECST

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MOECST) has launched a website called Access501. This website offers a wide range of educational resources for Belizeans to learn about the country’s history, culture, and natural environment. The official launch occurred on August 29th at the House of Culture in Belize City.

The Belize Education Upliftment Project (EUP) is a government-backed initiative to improve education in secondary schools. It covers student tuition, meals, uniforms, transportation, and educational devices and enhances the school's infrastructure and resources. On March 8th, Prime Minister John Briceño announced an expansion of the EUP. He mentioned that 12 new high schools would join the program for the 2024-2025 academic year, including the San Pedro High School (SPHS). Currently, the SPHS management is in discussions with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) to address the higher costs of resources and services in San Pedro Town compared to the mainland. SPHS supports the project but is seeking adjustments to ensure it can cover its operational expenses.

On Friday, February 2nd, the National Assembly of Belize passed legislation to raise Belize’s compulsory education age to 16. Before this, education was mandatory for children between five and 14 years of age. The Education and Training Act of 2011 amendment means that children will be legally required to remain in school until they’re 16.

On January 12, 2024, the pro-tempore Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Committee (STIAC) was established in Belmopan. Its purpose is to guide the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) in the development of Belize’s first National Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy (2024-2034). The world has entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by robotics, big data, artificial intelligence, and automation. The strategy aims to prepare and move Belize into this new era with the goal of attaining sustainable human development.

Since October, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) has been distributing Chromebooks donated by the Republic of China (Taiwan) to primary and high school students in Belize. On Tuesday, December 5th, the distribution of these devices came to San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, benefiting the San Pedro High School (SPHS) and two primary schools.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) has commenced the distribution of 5,000 Chromebooks donated by the Republic of China (Taiwan). These devices were pledged in April during the State Visit of H.E. Tsai Ing-Wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and were recently delivered to the MoECST.

This Saturday, October 14th, an annular solar eclipse will be visible in Belize. The natural phenomenon will begin over areas like San Pedro Ambergris Caye around 10AM, peaking at 11:30AM. The brief event, also known as a ring of fire solar eclipse, will also be visible in parts of the United States of America, Mexico, Central and South America. When enjoying this rare nature show, following safety precautions to avoid eye damage is important.

On September 25, 2023, the Second Road Safety Project, under the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), handed over 400 hundred Road Safety Toolkits to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST). Present at the handing over were Dr. Osmond Martinez, CEO for the MED; Mrs. Dian Maheia, CEO for the MoECST; and Mr. Zane Castillo, Project Manager for the Second Road Safety Project.