Belize Schools Reopen Soon

The reopening of schools in Belize has been uncertain since the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, the Ministry of Education announced that no date had been set for the reopening of schools, and distance and home-based learning would continue. The Ministry developed distance learning strategies, including online resources, audio lessons on local radio, and printed publications. In January 2021, the government announced a COVID-19 education task force to guide the reopening of schools for face-to-face learning. The task force provided a tentative reopening date of August/September 2021 but emphasised it would only occur when deemed safe by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Belize's education system faces challenges, including limited resources, financial constraints, and a large number of school dropouts. The system is influenced by British education and includes primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, with compulsory education between ages 5 and 14.

School reopening dates during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education worldwide, and Belize is no exception. The Belizean government has had to make several decisions regarding school closures and reopenings to balance public health and safety with providing quality and accessible education to its students.

On April 20, 2020, the Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, announced that no date had been set for the reopening of schools. Belize was under lockdown at the time, fighting to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Ministry of Education stated that the reopening of schools before the end of the current school year was not guaranteed. As a result, distance and home-based learning were expected to continue, with the Ministry developing strategies to support students at all levels of education.

The Ministry of Education worked closely with international partners, such as UNICEF, and local stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers, and the media, to implement distance and home-based learning. They provided online resources, daily audio lessons on local radio stations, and printed publications containing learning activities, especially for students with limited access to technology.

In January 2021, the Belizean government announced the formation of a new COVID-19 education task force to guide the country's commitment to delivering quality and accessible education during the ongoing pandemic and deciding when schools would reopen for face-to-face learning. The task force included representatives from the Ministry of Education, health professionals, educators, school administrators, parents, and students.

At that time, a tentative reopening date of "August/September 2021" was suggested, with the caveat that schools would only reopen when it was deemed safe to do so by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The task force operated between February and July 2021, and their input was crucial in determining the safe reopening of schools in Belize during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distance learning strategies

As of June 2024, there is no indication of when schools in Belize will reopen. In June 2021, the Belizean government expressed its desire to reopen schools, but no date was set. The government did, however, establish a COVID-19 education task force to determine when and how schools would reopen for in-person learning. The task force included representatives from the Ministry of Education, health organisations, teachers' unions, schools, and student bodies.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Education is focusing on developing and implementing distance and home-based learning strategies. These strategies aim to provide academic and psychosocial support to students at all levels of education. Here are some of the distance learning strategies that the Ministry of Education is employing:

Early Childhood and Primary Education Levels:

• Uploading online resources and activities on the Ministry's website.
• Developing and broadcasting daily audio lessons on local FM radio stations.
• Providing printed publications containing learning activities for students who may not have access to online resources.

Secondary and TVET Levels:

• Developing Learning Continuity Plans that accommodate all students, especially those who are marginalised or at risk of marginalisation due to the socio-economic situation.
• Providing printed materials for students with limited or no access to technology.
• Monitoring and supporting the implementation of school plans to ensure quality, equity, and compliance with established guidelines.

Tertiary Level:

Reviewing and advising institutions on plans for program completion to ensure adequate provisions are made for the closure of the school year.

Additionally, teachers are expected to play a crucial role in the distance learning process. Preschool and primary school teachers are required to inform and encourage parents to use the resources provided by the Ministry of Education or other pedagogical sources. They should also periodically check on students' progress and engage in online professional development courses. High school teachers and instructors are tasked with developing or identifying learning resources, engaging students in online or other forms of distance education, and providing varied opportunities for students to learn and develop skills.

The role of the National Oversight Committee

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on education systems worldwide, and Belize is no exception. In March 2020, the Belizean government took swift action to address the threat of the virus, including closing schools and implementing lockdown measures. The National Oversight Committee (NOC) played a crucial role in guiding the country's response to the pandemic and the subsequent reopening of schools and other sectors.

The NOC is a bipartisan committee co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. It was established in March 2020, soon after the Caribbean Public Health Agency upgraded Belize's risk of a COVID-19 outbreak to "high." The NOC worked closely with the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities to make important decisions and implement measures to protect the health and well-being of Belizeans.

One of the NOC's key roles was to provide guidance on the reopening of schools. The committee worked based on advice from health authorities to determine when and how schools could safely resume in-person classes. The NOC recognised that the reopening of schools before the end of the current school year was not guaranteed and recommended that distance and home-based learning continue in the meantime. The Ministry of Education worked with international partners, school leaders, teachers, and the media to develop strategies for distance and home-based learning at all levels of education, including academic and psychosocial support.

In addition to its role in education, the NOC also oversaw the reopening of other sectors of Belizean society and infrastructure. For example, the NOC was instrumental in the successful reopening of the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in October 2020, which marked the third phase of Belize's reopening strategy. The NOC recognised the efforts of various ministries, departments, and task forces in accomplishing this task.

The NOC's role in Belize's response to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the importance of coordination and collaboration between government entities, health authorities, and other stakeholders. By working together and following the guidance of health experts, the NOC helped ensure the safety and well-being of Belize's citizens during a global health crisis. The NOC's efforts contributed to Belize's success in managing the pandemic, as the country was able to flatten the curve, record zero active cases, and gradually reopen schools and other sectors.

The impact of school closures on exams

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on students' education and exam performance worldwide. The switch to online learning has widened the gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds, with those from low-income families experiencing greater learning losses. This has resulted in increased educational inequality and potential long-term repercussions on economic opportunities.

In Belize, the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture announced in April 2020 that schools would remain closed until the end of the school year, with distance and home-based learning continuing. The Ministry worked with international partners and local stakeholders to develop strategies for academic and psychosocial support during this period. The Primary School Examinations (PSE) for that year were cancelled, and Belize did not participate in the 2020 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) CAPE and CSEC Examinations.

Research has shown that school closures negatively affect student performance on exams. For example, adverse weather events leading to school closures in North Carolina, Minnesota, and Colorado have been associated with lower test scores. Similarly, teacher strikes in Ontario, Canada, and Belgium have resulted in reduced test performance and educational attainment.

The social and emotional well-being of students is also impacted by school closures, as they miss out on developing friendships, learning social skills, and acquiring grit and resilience. Additionally, public health services provided by schools, such as vaccinations and health examinations, are disrupted when schools are closed, affecting the physical health of young people.

Overall, the impact of school closures on exams is complex and far-reaching. While online learning may be a temporary solution, it is not a substitute for classroom instruction, and the lack of in-person interaction can have detrimental effects on students' academic performance and overall well-being.

The role of teachers during school closures

Teachers play a critical role during school closures to keep students motivated and engaged. During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers had to adapt to distance teaching and online learning. The pandemic and the shift to online learning brought new challenges for teachers, such as increased workload, social distancing, and feelings of incompetence and self-efficacy. However, teachers also had the opportunity to develop new teaching skills and forms of collegial cooperation.

During school closures, teachers are expected to inform and encourage parents to use available resources and periodically check on students' progress. They are also encouraged to engage in online professional development courses. Teachers can provide academic and psychosocial support to students and create varied opportunities for students to learn and develop skills.

In Belize, the Ministry of Education has been working closely with international partners and local stakeholders to develop distance and home-based learning strategies. The Ministry has provided online resources, broadcast audio lessons, and printed publications for students who may not have access to technology. The reopening of schools will be guided by a COVID-19 education task force, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Education, school principals, teachers, and parents. The task force will decide when and how schools will reopen for face-to-face learning.

Frequently asked questions