NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
In Belize, the education system is governed by the Education and Training Act (2010 as lastly amended in 2011) that rules over all educational levels from pre-primary to tertiary education. The Education and Training Act (2010 as lastly amended in 2011) defines a “private school” as a school licenced to operate in Belize by the Ministry and which is not in receipt of grant-in-aid from the Government, a “government-aided school” as a school in receipt of a grant-in-aid from the Government in accordance with provisions in Rules made under the 2010 Education and Training Act (as lastly amended in 2011), and a “community school” a school or institution not owned by a specific person, organization or group of organizations and which is managed by a Board of Management composed mainly of representatives of parents, school staff and local community organizations.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Belize, most schools at primary (eight years beginning at age five) and secondary education (four years beginning at age 12) levels are funded by the state. Public educational institutions directly financed and managed by the government represents 20% of institutions, while most education is provided by government-aided schools through a the church-government partnership. Education is compulsory for children 5-14 years of age. Government and government-aided primary and secondary schools are tuition fee-free; however, they are allowed to charge special fees with the approval of the Chief Education Officer.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Private schools are owned and funded by individual persons, denominations or private groups; a few of these schools are specially-assisted, which means they receive small grants from the government. These types of schools offer a different programme and curriculum than state schools. In 2019, private schools represented 18% of all educational institutions in Belize - 16 % in primary and 25% in secondary (51 and 16 – respectively of educational institutions).
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Most schools in Belize are government-aided schools managed by denominational schools and community schools (62%). According to the Minsitry of education, government-aided schools are schools owned by either a religious denomination or community group that receive funding from the government through school services grants or direct payment of teachers’ salaries. These types of schools are considered government schools in the national statistics and must follow government guidelines. According to the Education and Training Act (2010), government-aided schools must follow government standards but may, with state approval, include additional learning standards.
Denominational schools are schools owned and managed by specific denominational groups. Belize has a strong Church-State Partnership and most of the schools are operated by the church. The leading partner is the Roman-Catholic church; however, some denominational groups as the Mennonites, have educational agreements with the state, which grant them academic freedom to determine their curricula and learning standards.
The budget is distributed among both public and private subsidized schools at all levels. In 2013 most primary and secondary schools (82 percent) were privately operated.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
The Education and Training Act (2010) established the obligation for every parent or tutor to enrol a child of compulsory education age in an educational institution. According to HSLDA “Homeschooling is legal, per §60.1 of the Education & Training Act (14 April 2010), which states: Children must receive “suitable education either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.” Under the “or otherwise” phrase in the law, families can legally homeschool. However, homeschooling is uncommon. The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture established homeschool protocols and a series of applications forms in August 2020 after an increase in homeschooling during COVID-19. One of these requirements is for the parent to hold academic qualifications equivalent to an associate degree in order to homeschool.”
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
Community schools
According to the 2010 Education and Training Act (as lastly amended in 2011), a “community school” is a school or institution not owned by a specific person, organization, or group of organizations and which is managed by a Board of Management composed mainly of representatives of parents, school staff and local community organizations; Based on the list published by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Technology 18 community schools operated in the year 2017/18 at primary and secondary education levels.
In Belize, the overall governance of the education system for all public, government-assisted, non-state and private educational institutions in every education level (from early childhood care and education to tertiary level) is the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology headed by the Minister of Education and the Minister of State.
The Education and Training Act (2010 as lastly amended in 2011) set that District Education Councils appointed by the Minister assist the Ministry in planning, managing and monitoring the delivery of educational services in each district in Belize. The Chief Education Officer (a public officer appointed by the Public Services Commission) is responsible for for appraising the Minister, the National Council for Education and the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The National Council for Education, embodies the partnership between the State and its partners in education, such as churches, communities, voluntary organizations and other partners in education.
The Belize Teaching Service Commission enforce (a) standards set by the Ministry for entry into teaching to assure the quality and status of the Belize teaching force and the quality of the delivery of education; and (b) all regulations governing the conditions of service of teachers with respect to employment, appointment, transfer, discipline and termination of teachers in government and government-aided preprimary, primary, secondary, tertiary and TVET institutions subject to the provisions of sections 19 and 21 of the Education and Training Act (2010 as lastly amended in 2011)
Vision: The Children's Agenda 2017-2030 and the Early Childhood Development Plan (2017-2021) include non-government agencies and multi-sectoral partnerships in early childhood service systems as policy initiatives. Belize's education system is a structure through a strong church-government partnership for education provision across the country. The 2011 Education and Training Act (as amended in 2011) highlights in its Part II art. 3 “The Ministry, under the general direction of the Minister, shall work in partnership, consultation and cooperation with churches, communities, voluntary and private organizations, and such other organizations and bodies which the Ministry may identify and recognize as education partners for the sufficient and efficient provision of education in Belize.” and includes within its text four types of educational institutions which may operate in Belize—government, government-aided, private and community schools.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
Most ECCE education is delivered by non-state actors, primarily by government-aided schools, including community and denominational Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. While pre-primary (ages 3 to 5) is governed by the 2010 Education and Training Act (as amended in 2011). Day-care centres (ages one day to 5 years) are under the Social Service Agencies (Operators of Day Care Facilities) (Registration Licensing and Minimum Operating Requirements) Regulations (2003) legislation.
Currently, there is no specific law for early childhood; however, the Early Childhood Development Plan (2017-2021) provides for creating the Early Childhood Act, which at the time of this publication had not yet been implemented.
Registration and approval: Every day-care and preschool must apply for a license to operate in Belize following the 2003 Social Service Agencies (Operators of Day Care Facilities) (Registration Licensing and Minimum Operating Requirements) Regulations. All providers, including individuals, legal persons, corporations, or partnerships, must include in their application the required documentation such as police records, medical reports, reference letters and must comply with the minimum physical requirements such as adequate space per child and proper bathroom facilities. Enrolment capacity will be determined based on the infrastructure and staff-child ratio. The prescribed fee must accompany every application. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: Licenses are categorized based on the day-care staff-child ratio and structural facilities - separate buildings, separate sections, or family settings. Upon approval, a license will be issued for two years, subject to renewal. When a day-care centre does not meet all the requirements, a temporary permit will be issued for three years to enable day-care facilities to meet the minimum standards required by law to operate.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations for pre-primary education.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: According to the Social Service Agencies (Operators of Day Care Facilities) (Registration Licensing and Minimum Operating Requirements) Regulations (2003), all day-care centres must employ their staff under the Labor Act.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: Every ECD facility must establish its general operating policies, including establishing the criteria for admission and withdrawal of children into and out of the care facility.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: Every daycare service provider must keep records, registers and other books required by the educational authority.
Inspection: Government’s authorized personnel is authorized to inspect non-state day-care facilities premises in order to determine that regulations’ standards are being complied with by day-care facilities providers.
Child assessment: Students are assessed through teacher observations of developmental milestones.
Sanctions: Any ECD centre which operates without authorization or applies for approval with false information is liable to conviction of monetary fine or imprisonment. Also, any authorized ECD centre which does not comply with the Social Service Agencies (Operators of Day Care Facilities) (Registration Licensing and Minimum Operating Requirements) Regulations (2003) or any other regulation established for ECD centres may be requested for the centre to be suspended or closed.
Registration and approval: See Multi-level regulations.
Licence: No information was found.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): Every educational institution must follow the health regulations established by the Chief Education Officer and the Director of Health Services.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: See Multi-level regulations.
Textbooks and learning materials: Government-aided schools must use the approved textbooks and educational material approved by the government.
Teaching profession: Government-aided schools must, as a requirement of the support, hire teachers who are licensed for teaching at the primary level requires a minimum of an Associate Degree in Primary Education or an Associate Degree in a non-education area with a Certificate in Primary Education. Teaching at the secondary level requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education or a bachelor's degree in a subject area with a Diploma in Secondary Education, government-aided schools must present a justification to the Ministry before their hiring. Private schools must ensure its teaching staff complies with the professional qualifications according to the level of education established for public schools. According to art. 70 of the Education and Training Act 2010, “All teachers must enter into a contract agreement with their respective Managing Authority. Detailed provisions for employment contracts based on Licence Type and employment status are give in Rule 70.” Moreover, according to the Education Amendment Rules 2012, “Teachers of Government and Government-aided schools shall be paid in accordance with salaries for public officers on pay scales designated according to a classification scheme for teachers based on that teacher’s academic and professional qualifications” (rule 22). The contract for teachers that have a full license and have successfully passed the probabationary period should show “the salary scale and entry point at which the teacher is to be paid, approved by the Ministry, in accordance with Government salary scales for teachers; “ (rule 37).
Corporal punishment: Every school authority must safeguard their students from physical, sexual, or other forms of harassment, including corporal punishment. As of 2010, corporal punishment was prohibited in the Education Act: “51. (4) In accordance with subsection (2) of this section, nothing in the statement of general principles and measures or measures for regulating the conduct of students shall authorise anything to be done in relation to a student which constitutes harassment, intimidation, the administering of corporal punishment or any other actions harmful to a student.”
Other safety measures and COVID-19: With school closure initiative from the Government and UNICEF to ensure that access to education is attained by children have included the production of TV and radio programme “In It Together” as well as free printed lessons, learning and psychosocial support.
Fee-setting: See Multi-level regulations.
Admission selection and processes: No person shall be refused admission to any school on account of religion, race, ethnicity, language or political affiliation. No person shall be refused admission to any school on account of sex, except where such schools are historically non-coeducational.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: See Multi-level regulations.
Reporting requirements: See Multi-level regulations.
School inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Student assessment: Most students at the secondary level take one or more Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC) Examinations after completing secondary education. The sitting of CSEC Exams is not mandated; however, students who meet certain criteria established by the MoECST may earn tuition scholarships and grants for tertiary education. CSEC exams are also used as matriculation criteria by some regional and international universities.
Diplomas and degrees: See Multi-level regulations.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
Tertiary education is covered within the 2010 Education and Training Act (as amended in 2011) dictated by art. 34.
Registration and approval: See Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: See Multi-level regulations.
Teaching profession: There are no licencing requirements for teaching at the tertiary level.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: A secondary school diploma is required for entry into tertiary level programs. Alternative criteria including assessment of prior learning and placement examinations may also be required.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: See Multi-level regulations.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Assessment: There are no mandated national assessments at the tertiary level; however, nursing students sit a regional nursing exam to become certified. A few students also sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams (CAPE). The top-performing student on CAPE is awarded the Belize Scholarship which provides funding for further study.
Diplomas and degrees: See Multi-level regulations.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
This section covers regulations on the establishment, operation, and quality of non-state institutions from pre-primary to tertiary education level. The system of education is governed by the Education and Training Act (2010 as amended in 2011), the Education Rules 2003 and the Education (Amendment) Rules (2012) for all education levels for state and non-state educational institutions in Belize.
Registration and approval: The the Education and Training Act (2010 as lastly amended in 2011), specifies that any provider (person or body of persons) who intends to operate a preschool, primary, secondary, secondary, tertiary, TVET, or any other educational institution must apply for an operating license from the Chief Officer of Education “provided that the Proprietor of such an institution or school already in existence at the date of commencement of this Act and who has already received the approval of the Ministry to operate such an institution or school shall, upon application, be granted a licence under this Act”
Licence: see registration and approval.
Taxes and subsidies: The majority of education in Belize consists of government-subsidized education. While all are non-profit institutions, the government has created its educational strategy by subsidizing schools managed by non-governmental institutions. According to the Education and Training Act (2010 as lastly amended in 2011),“The Ministry may assist such schools or institutions as are approved under section 36 by way of granting aid from public funds for such expenditures as are provided for in Rules made under this Act”. Grant-in-aid are conditional on the managing authority (a) employ only teachers who possess a licence to teach;(b) submit justification to the Ministry, prior to the recruitment of teachers; (c) comply with this Act and any regulation made thereunder; (d) comply with any other conditions which the Minister may by Regulations prescribe.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: Government-aided schools must follow the national curricula and guidelines prescribed by the Ministry but may include new study areas, with prior ministerial approval. Private schools can follow their own curricula and learning standards.
Fees: According to the Education and Training Act (2010 as lastly amended in 2011), citizens and permanent residents of Belize are entitle to attend Government-aided primary and secondary schools without paying tuition fees. Special fees may be levied with the approval of the Chief Education Officer; however, Government-aided secondary and post-secondary schools may charge tuition and special fees. The type and amount of tuition and special fees charged are to be approved by the Minister.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: According to the Education and Training Act (2010 as amended in 2011), every organization, body, institution or religious denomination having one or more schools or institutions shall appoint a manager, board of management, board of governors or board of trustees, as may be appropriate, to be the Managing Authority for each school or institution for which it is the Proprietor. The managing bodies have comprehensive powers and authorities including for instance to appoint teachers and to do all actions that ensure compliance with regulations.
Reporting requirements: According to the Education and Training Act (2010 as amended in 2011), every school must submit a report to the Chief Education Officer at the end of the school year. “All preschools, primary, and secondary schools, post secondary and tertiary institutions and ITVETs shall keep such records and submit such returns to the Ministry as may be prescribed by Rules or Regulations made under this Act. (2) Within one month of the end of a school year, the Manager or Managing Authority of a preschool, primary or secondary school shall furnish the Chief Education Officer with a report of the year just completed, on the form prescribed for that purpose in Rules made under this Act”
Inspection: The Chief of Education has the authority and duty to inspect the schools to verify compliance with the authorization requirements. The Education and Training Act (2010 as amended in 2011), dictates that said inspections shall be conducted triennially; the continuance of the permission to operate depends on favourable results. In addition, The Chief Education Officer or any Education Officer deputed by him may enter any premises where a school is being conducted, at any reasonable time during school hours, for the purpose of making enquiries and discharging such duties as may be imposed by this Act or Rules made under this Act.
Diplomas and degrees: According to the Education and Training Act (2010 as amended in 2011), the Ministry must approve all national degrees, diplomas and certificates to be awarded to students.
Sanctions: The 2010 Education and Training Act (as amended in 2011), set that when an educational institution fails to comply with the requirements or recommendations for improvement issued by the MoE, the Minister may request the suspension or revocation of the school's license or grant-in-aid.
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
Private tutoring in Belize is often referred to as “extra classes” activities. In this respect, the Education and Training Act (2010 as amended in 2011), mentions that “Teachers are required to prepare for and to conduct classroom and other intra-mural educational activities and to participate in extra-mural educational activities in accordance with their teaching plans and with the school policies and plan for the education of students.”
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
