EDUCATION IN BELIZE

Education and Schools on Ambergis Cave, Belize

1. San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School
2. San Pedro High School
3. The Island Academy
4. La Isla Bonita School
5. St. Peter's Elementary And St. Peter's College
6. Holy Cross Anglican Primary School
7. New Horizon SDA School
8. Medical University Of The Americas

Belize - Education System

Institution Types and Credentials

Types of higher education institutions:

1. University
2. University College
3. Training College
4. Teacher Training Colleges

Higher education credentials:

1. Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate
2. General Certificate Of Education Ordinary "O" Level
3. General Certificate Of Education Advanced "A" Level
4. Diploma in Professional Nursing
5. Associate Degree
6. Bachelor Degree

Structure Of Education System

Pre-higher Education

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry :  5
Age of exit: 14

Structure of school System:

Primary

Type of school providing this education: Primary School
Length of program in years: 8
Age level from : 5 to 14
Certificate/diploma awarded : Belize National Selection Examination

Lower Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Secondary School
Length of program in years : 8
Age level from :  5 to 14
Certificate / diploma awarded : Belize National Selection Examination

Lower Secondary

Type of school providing this education : Secondary School
Length of the program in years : 4
Age level from : 11 to 15
Certificate/diploma awarded : Canbbean Examinations Council certificate(CXC), GCE Ordinary Level Examinations.

Upper Secondary

Type of school providing this education : Secondary School
Length of program in years : 2
Age level from : 15 to 17
Certificate/diploma awarded : GCE Advanced Level Examinations

Technical

Type of school providing this education : Technical and Vocational secondary School
Certificate/diploma awarded : Qualifications of the City and Guides of London Institute, London Chamber Of Commerce Royal Society Of Arts.

Secondary Education

The secondary Education school system covers six years divided into two cycles, lasting for four and two years. On conclusion of the lower cycle, pupils may take the examinations for the GCE Ordinary "o" levels of the British Boards or (since 1979) the Canbbean Examinations of Council Certificate. After a Further two years, they may take the GCE Advanced "A" examinations of the British Boards.

Higher Education

In Belize, degree courses are offered by the University College Of Belize and the American University of the Canbbean. There is also an exttra-mural unit of the University of the West Indies.The University College of Belize, founded in 1986, is directly financed by the Ministry of Education. The College shares  its teaching facilities with its constituent colleges.Belize is affiliated to the University of the West Indies which is a regional institution with campuses in Jamacia, Barbados and Trinidad. The University college of Belize offers its own Bachelor's  degree courses in Secondary Education and Business Studies, under the authority of the Government of Belize.there are also several colleges.Discuissions are underway to merge the Belize School Of Nursing with the University college of Belize.
Languages of instruction : English

Stages of Studies

University level studies :
university level first stage : Associate Degree :
Two-year post-secondary programes lead to an Associate Degree.
University level second Stage : bachelor's Degree

The University college offers courses beyond the Associate Degree known as "thirdyear" programmes leading to a Bachelor's Degree.

Teacher Education

Training of primary/basic school teachers

The Three-Year Certificate Programme with School Experience, formally introduced in 1992, can be followed as a one-year full-time course at Belize Teachers Training Colleges.
(level one), followed by one or two years of experience in the field, returning to the College for one additional year of full-time studies (level two) ar as a two-and-a-half year course in the extra-mural programme. (level one), using distance education,  followed by one year of full-time studies at the college (level two). A certificate in Teaching Level One is conferred at the end of Level One. An opportunity for further education will be possible with the introduction of a Bachelor's degree in Primary Education being  developed by the University College Of Belize and the Belize teachers College.

Training Of Secondary School teachers

Secondary-school teachers for the first two years of secondary education are also trained at Belize teacher's College,which offers a Diploma in Teacher Education after three  years, including one semester of practice and a research paper.Others graduate abroad.

Non-Traditional Studies

Distance Higher Education
Non-formal studies consists of continuing education programmes provided by the Extramural Department of the University of the West Indies(UWI) and by government ministries. UWI programmes help people, particularly teachers, wishing to improve their formal academic and professional qualifications.
Admission to Higher Education
Admission to non University Higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required : General Certificate of Education Ordinary "O" level

Admission to University Level studies 

Name of secondary credential required : General Certificate of Education Advanced "A" Level
Alternatives to credentials : Caribbean Examinations Council Certificate (CXC) level equilents (+ a preliminary year's study)

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title : Study Abroad 2000-2001
publisher : UNESCO/IBE
year of publication 1999

Grading System

Usual grading system in secondary school 

Full Description : Five Grades are awarded (from 1 to 5). There is no pass/fail mark.

Highest on Scale : 1

Lowest on Scale : 5

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description : Grades range from A (excellent) to F (fail)
highest on Scale : A
Lowest on Scale : F

Notes on higher Education System

Date for academic year : 1998-1999
Source : International Association of Universities (IAU)
Nowhere  were fears of recolonization more realized than in higher education. In 1979 the ruling People's United Party (PUP) government established the Belize College for education in arts, education in Science and Technology (Belcast) with the intention of breaking Belize's dependence on the outside world for university education.The PUP envisioned Belcast as a government-run institution, with no participation from the church. Funding was secured from the European Economics Community for the  construction of a campus in Belmopan
The campus was never built because the PUP was swept out of office in a landslide victory for the rival United Democratic Party (UDP) in December 1984. The UDP revoked the Belcast ordinance and invited Ferris state College of Big Raids, Michigan to establish and manage a new institution the University College of Belize (UCB).