This afternoon in the north, the Government of Belize and the European Union inaugurated 3 pre-schools, 1 in the Orange Walk District and 2 in the Corozal District.
These 3 schools, the Trial Farm Government Pre-School, San Jose Pre-School, and the San Pedro Pre-School will allow for more than 150 children to get access to early childhood education.
The 3 new schools cost a total of 1.14 million dollars, and they were officially opened for business today. The VIP's traveled to the shiny new pre-school in Trial Farm, and 7News was there to speak with them about the generous donation:
Gavin Tench, Political Counsellor - E.U. BZ Delegation
"The story starts maybe over 10 years ago with the European Union deciding to help support the Belize sugar industry and part of that program is looking at a holistic approach to that support. It's not just about cane farmers, not just about road, it also includes schools and that's why we're here today to open this fantastic new school. It's also about helping the whole industry adjust to the future when price structures change and we realize that the sugar industry is a community within itself and that the families are just as affected as those who work in the fields or drive the tractors or work in the factories."
Dr, Carol Babb, Chief Education Officer
"Its 3 preschools, one in San Pedro, Corozal, San Jose and one here in Trial Farm in the Orange Walk district. It's over a million dollars (1,140,000 BZD) and it's a grant from the European Union so that's a good thing that we don't have to worry about paying it back. We are very thankful to the European Union because they know Early Childhood Education is extremely important and we in the ministry of education value that. We want every child to have access to early childhood education. We believe in starting strong. These are the foundation years so we are extremely thankful and want to ensure that these children get the best quality education."
Nazira Romero, Principal - Trial Farm Gov't School
"Several years ago I was visited by doctor Gillet and she saw the overcrowded classroom that housed our then preschool and she encouraged me to write in a letter asking for a new classroom. I am glad that I got more that I asked for."
Reporter
"Talk to us about all the amenities that it comes with."
Nazira Romero, Principal - Trial Farm Gov't School
"The preschool has 2 classrooms, there are 2 large classrooms. It has 4 bathrooms, 2 for staff and for the babies it has bathrooms at their level at their size, very cute bathrooms for them and it also has areas in which they can clean up after art. We have new stove and new refrigerator placed there for the children to get their healthy snacks."
Omar Cabrerra, Principal - San Jose Primary School
"We are certainly grateful to the European Union and the government of Belize for assisting us in getting this preschool. This is the first for a large school we are one of the largest government schools in that area in the north with 500+ students and this is the first time I'm getting a preschool, so the social skills will definitely develop with the students going into infant 1."
Over the past 10 years, the European Union has assisted Belize with grant funding upwards of 50 million dollars.
Email
Print