Belize's Educational Adventures

Belize is a great place to visit for educational activities, with a range of options for all ages. The country's education system is influenced by the English system but has been heavily influenced by the US academic syllabus, particularly through the Jesuits.

Belize has a range of outdoor activities that can be educational for children and adults alike. These include snorkelling and diving in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, exploring ancient Mayan sites such as Actun Tunichil Muknal, and visiting the Belize Zoo, which is committed to conservation and education.

For those interested in history and culture, Belize has a number of museums and historical sites, including the Maya Ruins of Caracol, the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, and the Green Iguana Conservation Project.

There are also educational tours available, such as the Xunantunich and Cave Tubing Combo Tour, which includes a guided visit to a cave and a Maya temple.

Belize's education system is governed by the Education Act, which makes primary education free and compulsory between the ages of 5 and 14. The country has a range of primary and secondary schools, as well as community colleges and junior colleges.

Outdoor activities in Belize

Belize is a paradise for outdoor activities, with reefs for snorkelers and divers, mountainous jungles for hikers, and ancient Mayan ruins and caves for explorers. Here are some of the best outdoor activities to do in Belize:

Caving

Caving in Belize is a surreal experience. One of the most popular caves in Belize is the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave, once a Mayan burial site. The cave is filled with skeletons, pottery, and other ceremonial objects left by the Maya. To get to the cave, you'll need to hike for about 45 minutes from the entrance, swimming and climbing through the tropical rainforest and crossing multiple streams. Inside the cave, you'll find chambers filled with ancient artifacts and natural wonders. Note that cameras are not allowed inside the cave.

Ziplining and Water Rappelling

Ziplining through the Belize jungle canopy is a thrilling way to experience the rainforest. Many zipline tours also include rappelling, where you can soar through the treetops and then descend to the ground. For a unique experience, try ziplining at night or combine it with a waterfall rappel. Rappelling at Mayflower Bocawina National Park is designed for families and is a great introduction to the sport.

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter tours offer a bird's-eye view of Belize's diverse landscapes, including lush jungle reserves, Maya Mountains, and ancient Maya cities like Xunantunich. These tours can be pricey, but they offer incredible photo opportunities and unforgettable views. To save money, consider sharing the experience with other travellers.

Diving and Snorkelling

Belize is located on one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, offering numerous diving and snorkelling spots. The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans 185 miles of coastline and features dive sites like the world-renowned Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is an almost perfectly circular hole, 480 feet deep, with a radius of over 1,000 feet. It is home to sponges, barracuda, corals, angelfish, and sharks. Other popular snorkelling spots include Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, and Coral Garden.

Exploring Mayan Ruins

Belize is called the heartland of the Mayan World, with numerous Mayan temples and historical sites to explore. Some of the most popular ruins include Lamanai, Xunantunich, Caracol, and Altun Ha. Xunantunich, with its 39-metre-high El Castillo pyramid, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Maya mountains and valleys. Caracol is the largest Mayan ruin in Belize, spanning 25,000 acres and featuring a massive Caana (Sky Palace) pyramid.

The Belize Zoo

The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who was left with a handful of wild animals that had been used in a natural history documentary. The zoo now cares for over 150 animals, representing 43 native species, and employs over 45 Belizeans. More than 43,000 people visit the zoo annually.

The zoo is unique in that it is the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. The habitats designed for the animals reflect natural settings, and provide an immersive educational experience for visitors. The zoo is committed to the conservation of Belize's wildlife and its habitats, aiming to bring about greater environmental awareness for people living in Belize, and for visitors from abroad.

The zoo is home to a variety of mammals, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wildcat species found in Belize: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarundis. Other mammals include white-tailed deer, red brocket deer, collared and white-lipped peccaries, Yucatan spider monkeys, black howler monkeys, Central American agoutis, lowland pacas, grey foxes, neotropical otters, coatis, kinkajous, and tayras.

The zoo also features several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a wetland aviary. Birds at the zoo include scarlet macaws, red-lored amazons, yellow-headed amazons, keel-billed toucans, jabiru, harpy eagles, king vultures, great black hawks, ornate hawk-eagles, barn owls, mottled owls, crested guans, and great curassows.

Reptiles at the zoo include American crocodiles, Morelet's crocodiles, boa constrictors, fer-de-lance, green iguanas, and black spiny-tailed iguanas.

The best schools in Belize

The education system in Belize is rooted in the English system but has been heavily influenced by the US academic syllabus, particularly through the Jesuits. As a result, many of the best schools in Belize are Roman Catholic. The Catholic Church, in partnership with the government, operates most of Belize's top public schools.

Some of the best schools are found in Belize City and other large towns. Here are some of the top schools in Belize:

St. John's High School for Boys and Saint Catherine Academy for Girls in Belize City are among the best high schools in the country and are popular with expat families. These elite schools are only accessible to the rich, well-connected, or expats.

Belize Elementary School and the Belize High School in Belize City are among the best private elementary schools on the mainland.

The Island Academy on Ambergris Caye is a private school with a good reputation. It charges US$3,000 per student per year and offers classes from preschool to grade 8.

San Pedro High School is the only high school on Ambergris Caye. It is a private/government-aided secondary school that offers a quality education to both locals and students from across the country.

QSI International School of Belize is a non-profit institution offering classes for children aged 5-13. The curriculum includes English, Mathematics, Cultural Studies, Science, Art, Music, and Physical Education.

Belize High School (BHS) is a private, non-profit institution with a college preparatory and technology-focused curriculum.

Peninsula International Academy (PIA) is a multilingual private international school located at the bottom of the Placencia Peninsula. It offers preschool and standard 1-5 levels, with substantial additional training based on students' capabilities and choices. Entry fee is $2000 per family, and tuition is $7000 per year.

Caye Caulker Ocean Academy is a private school that teaches from a Christian and biblical perspective, offering classes from grades 9-12.

Higher education institutions in Belize

Belize has several higher education institutions, including community colleges, junior colleges, and universities.

Community colleges in Belize are typically higher-level institutions attached to existing secondary schools (high schools). Examples of these include the Corozal Community College, the Toledo Community College, and Sacred Heart College in El Cayo. These colleges offer tertiary, post-high school programs and associate or two-year college degrees.

Some junior colleges in Belize include St. John’s Junior Coed College in Belize City, Corozal Junior College in Corozal, and Muffles College in Orange Walk Town. Junior colleges offer two-year post-secondary programs leading to an Associate Degree.

Belize also has several universities, including the University of Belize, Galen University, and the University College of Belize. The University of Belize is a government-run institution that combines several existing educational facilities in the country. Galen University, a private college, is an accredited institution that offers competition to the University of Belize. The University College of Belize, founded in 1986, is financed by the Ministry of Education and offers Bachelor's Degree courses in Secondary Education and Business Studies.

Other universities in Belize include the American University of the Caribbean, the University of the West Indies, and the Central America Health Sciences University, Belize Medical College.

Primary education in Belize

In 2001, 93.2% of children aged 5 to 14 were attending school. While primary education is free in some schools, mostly in the Orange Walk and Cayo districts, related expenses such as uniforms, books, and annual school fees can be a financial strain on poor families.

The Education Act of 2014 prohibits corporal punishment in schools. It also requires that all teachers be professionally trained to obtain a teacher's license. However, as of 2017, only about 70% of teachers were professionally trained.

The Belizean government has prioritised education, with the Ministry of Education consuming 30% of the government's recurrent revenue. However, there are still challenges, such as a lack of resources and a high dropout rate, especially in the southern part of the country.

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