Homeschooling In Belize: What Expats Need To Know

Homeschooling is legal in Belize, and there is a Facebook group for those interested in the topic. However, it is supposed to be approved by the Ministry of Education, and this is rarely enforced by anyone other than the Immigration Department. The Ministry of Education has also stated that teachers must be qualified, preferably college-educated, and be a family member. The quality of education is a serious concern for expats with kids in Belize, as some schools in villages have untrained teachers and a lack of resources. There are a variety of schooling options for expats in Belize, including public, private, and international schools.

Homeschooling in Belize: legal requirements

Homeschooling is legal in Belize, and it has been gaining traction since the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is an option for parents, there are specific legal requirements that must be met. In this article, we will outline the necessary steps and qualifications for homeschooling in Belize, especially for expats.

Legal Status of Homeschooling in Belize

According to §60.1 of the Education & Training Act (14 April 2010), children between the ages of 5 and 14 must receive a "suitable education either by regular attendance at school or otherwise." The phrase "or otherwise" allows families to legally homeschool their children. However, it is important to note that homeschooling is still relatively uncommon in Belize.

Requirements for Homeschooling

The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture established homeschool protocols and application forms in August 2020. One of the main requirements is for the parent or guardian to hold academic qualifications equivalent to an associate degree. Additionally, the parent or guardian must be a Belizean citizen or resident.

The educational plan that the children will follow must be submitted to the Ministry of Education for approval. If the parent is not conducting the classes, a qualified teacher who meets the requirements must be found, and the lessons must take place at the child's home, not at a tutoring group session.

The homeschooling agreement is valid for a minimum of one school term, which is approximately 12 to 13 weeks at the primary level. After this period, parents can reapply for subsequent years or choose to enrol their children back in traditional schools.

Application Process

The Ministry of Education provides application forms on its website, and interested parents can also call their office for more information. Supporting documents must be provided with the application, and once approved, an agreement will be signed with the Ministry. They will then monitor the child's progress and conduct assessments at the end of each term.

Considerations for Expats

For expats considering homeschooling in Belize, it is important to note that the requirements may vary depending on your visa status. According to some expats, if you are entering Belize on a tourist visa, homeschooling may be a viable option. However, for other visa types, it is recommended to consult an immigration attorney to understand the specific requirements and guidelines.

Homeschooling curriculum options

Homeschooling is a great way to customise your child's education and make learning enjoyable. Here are some curriculum options to consider:

All in One Curriculum

This award-winning digital solution for Pre-K to 12th grade provides everything you need to educate your child from the comfort of your own home. It is a cost-effective solution, with engaging lessons, interactive activities, and teaching guides for parents.

Apologia

Apologia is a Christian company offering many homeschool options. Their Distance Learning Online is available for grades K3 to 12 and can be tailored to your needs, from DVDs and textbooks to doing it all online. The package includes everything you need to homeschool your student, including whatever teacher books are required.

BJU Press

BJU Press (Bob Jones University Press) is a Christian company offering parent-led materials as well as video courses for all grade levels. Families can choose as few as one subject or several subjects, or a full grade level of materials to homeschool their children.

The Good and the Beautiful

The Good and the Beautiful is one of the most popular homeschool curricula on the market today. They offer a free version of their textbooks as a download and have one of the most popular homeschool curricula for multiple categories in their annual Homeschool.com Back to Homeschool and Educational Website Awards.

Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool Curriculum

Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool Curriculum is a free Christian homeschool curriculum for grades K-12. It offers Art, Drawing, Bible, History, Language Arts, Math, Music, P.E., Reading, Science, and more in a Charlotte Mason or eclectic style.

Science Shepherd

Science Shepherd is a complete science curriculum that is easy to implement and interesting for your student. Choose from a collection of elementary, middle, and high school courses that are sure to fit your student’s needs.

Time4Learning

Time4Learning is a comprehensive online curriculum provider, dedicated to serving students from pre-K to grade 12. With a focus on delivering excellence in education, the platform offers a wide range of core subjects, additional resources, and engaging electives. Time4Learning might be for you if you're looking for something your student will love and something parent-friendly.

Online homeschooling in Belize

Homeschooling is legal in Belize and is an option chosen by some expats in the country. However, it is supposed to be approved by the Ministry of Education, and there are some specific requirements that must be met.

Firstly, the teacher must be qualified, with the Ministry of Education stating that they must be college-educated. The teacher must also be a family member. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education was very firm about these rules and said they would be checking in on homeschooling families. However, one expat forum user stated that they had heard of no visits from the Ministry to homeschooling families.

There is a Facebook group for expats homeschooling in Belize, and it is also possible to find homeschooling expats on the Expat.com forum.

The growth of international schools in Belize has been in response to a number of expatriate families moving to the country. International schools can be the perfect solution for expat students and often follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, Canada, or Australia/New Zealand. Primary instruction may be in any language, but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese.

The QSI International School of Belize is a non-profit institution that operates classes for children aged 5-13 years. The curriculum includes English, Mathematics, Cultural Studies, Science, Art, Music, and Physical Education. Instruction is in English, and individual and group tuition is available for students who need additional help with English. The school seeks to provide students with an appreciation for Belizean culture and history.

The Caye Caulker Ocean Academy is a private school that teaches from a Christian and biblical perspective. Classes are offered for grades 9-12.

Online homeschooling options may be available at these international schools, but you would need to contact the schools directly to find out more information.

Other Education Options in Belize

There are primary schools in every village in Belize, and you will also find high schools and junior colleges wherever there is the population to warrant them. The school system is modelled on the American system, with students progressing from primary school (kindergarten and standard first to sixth) to high school (first to sixth form), and then on to junior college for an associate's degree before university.

The Ministry of Education oversees all schools in Belize and certifies and pays nearly all teachers. The rest of the schools are run by churches, predominantly Catholic, but also Protestant, evangelical, Mennonite, Seventh-day Adventist, and Mormon. Even religious schools are generally multidenominational.

Primary education is free and compulsory through age 14, but a sizable minority of Belizean children do not complete primary school. About 70% of teachers are professionally trained, but this number is growing due to recent amendments to the Education Act 2017, which aims for 100% of teachers to be professionally trained.

Secondary education is competitive, requiring passage of a comprehensive exam. Charges for books and fees are beyond the reach of many Belizean families. About three-fourths of primary school students go on to secondary schools, though not all graduate.

There are also community colleges and junior colleges in Belize. These are usually higher-level institutions attached to existing secondary schools. Most are patterned after the “sixth form” in Britain and offer associate or two-year college degrees.

Universities in Belize

Belize has a true four-year university system, with the University of Belize combining several existing educational facilities in the country. There is also a small private college, Galen University, in Cayo near San Ignacio, which is accredited and gives the government-run University of Belize competition. The University of the West Indies also offers courses at its campus in Belize City.

The Cost of Education in Belize

Primary education is free, but there are related expenses such as uniforms, books, and annual school fees, which can be a financial strain on poor families.

The typical tuition cost for private schools in Belize is around US$20 per month. The Belize government pays this tuition for students from very needy families, but this program has become severely politicized and impractical for most poor students.

The Belize Elementary School and the new Belize High School in Belize City are among the best private elementary schools on the mainland. Saint Catherine Academy for girls and St. John’s High School for boys, both in Belize City, are recognized as among the best high schools and are popular with expat families. But these are elite schools only available to the rich, well-connected, or expats working in Belize.

Pros and Cons of the Belizean Education System

The quality of the school system in Belize is a concern for some expats with children. Depending on where you live, the primary or secondary level education can be OK, a bit hit and miss, or a total miss. This is due to underpaid teachers, untrained staff, and a lack of funding and resources in some schools, particularly in the far south.

However, there are some reasonably good schools at all levels, and it is possible to continue your education in the Caribbean to a high level if you wish.

In-person support for homeschoolers

Homeschooling is legal in Belize, according to §60.1 of the Education & Training Act (14 April 2010). This legislation states that children must receive a "suitable education either by regular attendance at school or otherwise". While homeschooling is permitted, it is relatively uncommon in the country.

In terms of in-person support for homeschoolers in Belize, there are a few expat forums and Facebook groups that can provide assistance and community. For example, the Belmopan Homeschool Association has a Facebook page where homeschoolers in Belize can connect and share resources. Additionally, expat forums like expat.com have discussions and threads specifically related to homeschooling in Belize, where individuals can ask questions and receive advice from others with firsthand experience.

It is important to note that there are specific requirements that must be met in order to homeschool legally in Belize. According to the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, one of the requirements is for the parent or teacher to hold academic qualifications equivalent to an associate degree. There may also be protocols and application forms to complete, which were established in August 2020 after an increase in homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In terms of in-person support and resources, connecting with other homeschoolers in Belize through online platforms like Facebook and expat forums can be a good starting point. These communities can provide firsthand accounts, advice, and potential meetups or support groups. Additionally, seeking guidance from local education authorities or homeschooling organisations in Belize may help individuals navigate the legal requirements and find in-person support for homeschoolers.

Overall, while homeschooling in Belize is legal, it is important to ensure that all necessary requirements are met. By connecting with other homeschoolers and seeking guidance from local authorities, expats can ensure they are providing their children with a suitable education that complies with Belizean law.

Homeschooling costs

Homeschooling in Belize is legal, and there is a Facebook group for those interested in the topic. However, it is uncommon, and there are some costs and requirements to be aware of.

Firstly, the Ministry of Education has established protocols and application forms that must be completed. One of the requirements is that the parent holds academic qualifications equivalent to an associate degree. There is also an expectation that the teacher must be a family member.

The costs of homeschooling in Belize can vary depending on the resources and curriculum used. Some families may choose to purchase a curriculum package from a homeschooling organisation, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year. Additionally, there may be costs associated with materials such as books, supplies, and technology.

If you are enrolling your child in an online school or programme, there will likely be tuition fees, which can vary widely depending on the school and grade level. These fees can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year.

It is also worth noting that, while primary education in Belize is free and compulsory through age 14, there are still costs associated with uniforms and books that families must cover.

Furthermore, if you are planning to homeschool while living in Belize, there may be visa requirements to consider. According to one source, if you are entering Belize on a tourist visa, you are likely allowed to homeschool. However, if you are entering on any other type of visa, it is recommended to consult an immigration attorney to understand the specific requirements and laws related to homeschooling in Belize.

Overall, the costs of homeschooling in Belize can vary depending on the approach you take and the resources you use. It is important to carefully research the requirements and plan accordingly to ensure you can provide a suitable education for your children.

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