There's a new high school opening in Belize City - but it's not state or church sponsored, it's fully private. Belize High school is an extension of Belize Elementary School. The founders say the idea is to create a culture of academic excellence which will ensure that more students pursue tertiary education as the most recent statistics show that only thirty percent of Belize's High School graduates move on to tertiary level education. Jim Macfadzean found out more.
Christopher Coye, Pro Tem Chairman, BHS
"In looking at the statistics of our students and education in Belize, there were certainly a clear need for higher standard but also a standard or a path to a college education."
But for some in the field of Education, the creation of this private high school is an elitist endeavour, bound to be way out of the reach of your average Belizean family.
Jim McFadzean
"Some of your critics say that this is going to be an elitist school for those who can afford this type of private education, what do you say to them."
Dr. Sharmayne Sanders, Board Member BHS
"In terms of the quality of education, we don't mind that terminology being used for us, there are some component in terms of the fees, it's similar to the model we use over at BES, which is 240 to 250 a month, so certainly accessible and affordable. Secondly in terms of the relationship with government and subsidy, because we are a private institution and will continue to be a private institution, our license does not allow us to receive subsidy and our students will not be afforded that."
And Coye says the school's focus is more than just a secondary education.
Christopher Coye
"What we want to focus on is to be able to offer a standard that enable them to be able them to get a college education that focuses not just to get a high school education, at least that is our vision; the focus is to get a college education, and in that regard we have sought to develop our own curriculum. One that, yes, meets the needs of our Ministry of Education."
And so the million dollar question is, what is the driving force that has brought the two institutions together?
Dr. Sharmayne Sanders, UWI
"The relationship between UWI and BHS is because we realized that we have the facilities and it's underutilized during the course of the day. We are adult and continuing education, primarily utilized in the evenings and you will note that most of our courses are online. we do online education, so there is an availability there. In terms of plotting the charts in the future there is an option in our established arrangement that (we have about 9.34 acres of land) that can make this property their home as well. There is room for growth for the University and certainly we want to engage BHS to become a part of the UWI family."
Classes open in the next school year.
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