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Education
Education is compulsory for children aged between 6 and 14. Primary and
secondary education is free. In 1992 there were 48,612 pupils enrolled in 241
primary schools (gov't & gov't aided), 9,457 in 31 secondary schools and 1,191
in 8 post secondary institutions. Most schools are run by the churches, some by
the Government. The Government maintains one special school for mentally
disabled children and another for children with physical disabilities.
A center for employment training has been established in
Belize City to provide
a mechanism for reaching the student population that has not had the advantage
of completing secondary school. Training is based on employment trends, as well
as on the nature of changes in the labor market.
Specialized training is available at the other institutions. The Belize
Technical College offers craft and technical courses, the Belize Teachers
College runs a two year diploma course leading to trained teachers status. The
Belize Vocational Training Center in
Belize City provides courses for primary
school-leavers, while the Belize Youth Development Center and the Belize College
of Agriculture offer training for those interested in entering the field of
agro-industry.
Advanced training is provided to Belizeans in the professional and technical
field at Belize's first university, the University College of Belize, which
opened in 1986.
The
University College of the West Indies maintains a School of Continuing Education
(SCE) in Belize City. This institution's work includes organizing adult
education classes and lectures. In addition it offers courses in social
anthropology, constitutional law and conversational Spanish and Garifuna. The
SCE encourages creative arts and sponsors an annual festival of dance, music,
and drama.
There is a well-equipped library service. It has its headquarters in the Baron
Bliss Institute in Belize City and 74 service points scattered throughout the
country. Remote areas are serviced by a mobile library.
The Bliss Institute is maintained and operated by the Government in order to
encourage cultural activities.
* Source:
Permanent Mission of Belize to the OAS.
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Updated: 18 March 2008 |
