Today we met with Carol Babb, the Deputy Chief Educator and Rose Bradley, the Director of Belize Literacy Unit, to discuss Belizean schools. It was very interesting to learn that many of the teachers are very young, beginning either immediately upon completion of high school or shortly thereafter. It was also very interesting to learn that one does not have to have a teaching license to become a teacher in Belize.
Most of the beginning teachers do not have professional development support to help meet their needs to grow as successful educators. Many of the teachers are also lacking knowledge in classroom management. Although corporal punishment was banned in Belize for 2 years, many teachers continue to use this practice in their classrooms. They believe that was how they were raised and it’s the only thing they know. Unfortunately, there is not a system-wide behavior policy in place; however, each school in Belize has its own discipline policy in which they implement.
Belizean students are required to attend school through the age of 14 years old. Students also pay a fee to attend school. The fees may vary from school to school, depending on grade level. Unfortunately, if parents can’t afford to pay the fee to have their child attend school, they simply do not send them. Support has been provided via truancy officers, to locate students who live in Belizean villages that are not attending school. Many of these children live in the poorest areas of Belize, which is known as London Bridges. With the assistance of the truancy officers, many families are able to receive support to help get their child in school.
I was very gracious to have been in the presence of these women. They demonstrated a passion for making positive changes within Belizean schools. They also recognize the need to reach the increasing growing numbers of students who are not attending school. My hope is that I may one day have the opportunity to be an administrator at a school in Belize.
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