BELIZE CITY, Sun. Jan. 30, 2022– On Thursday, January 27, the Ministry of Education received ninety-nine laptops from the Social Investment Fund (SIF) to assist in the Basic Needs Trust Fund Ninth Program. The laptops will be distributed to needy students at five primary schools throughout the country. Currently, over 400 schools across the country are engaged in hybrid learning, and there are many students who do not own a tablet or laptop and are thus unable to access online learning to continue the 2021/22 academic school year. These are the students who are being targeted as recipients of the donated laptops.

“What we’ve seen in the past twenty-two months is that forty percent of our primary schools have used some form of online learning. That’s four out of ten, and of the schools who use some form of online learning, eighty-four percent of them used WhatsApp as the primary means. So you know what that means is for the primary school students in this country who have been receiving some form of instruction using technology, it has been happening on a phone. These ninety–nine computers will go to schools across the country: Santa Marta Government School, Crooked Tree Government School, San Isidro Government School, St. Michael’s RC, and Louisiana Government.” said CEO of the Ministry of Education, Dian Maheia, during her remarks at the handing-over ceremony.

“This initiative falls under SIF’s mission to provide improved access to information and communications in education for schools across the country. The Social Investment Fund which is under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment is the implementing agency for the Government of Belize in addressing the basic needs of Belizeans from north to south. These laptops were purchased from funds from the Basic Needs Trust Fund Ninth Program,” noted Deputy Chairman of SIF, Valentino Shal.

The handing-over ceremony took place at the Government House in Belize City. The combined value of the laptops is approximately $329,000 BZD

Notably, the Education Ministry’s Education Upliftment Project also commenced last week. Through this project over 1,000 students in Southside Belize City will be granted full scholarships to continue their secondary education. The program will be providing scholarships to students who reside, and attend institutions, on that side of the Haulover Creek. This includes students of four government schools: Sadie Vernon High School, Excelsior High School, Maud Williams High School, and Gwen Lizarraga High School. The Education Ministry has indicated that the program will include not only coverage of tuition fees but also transportation assistance, a feeding program, and social support for the family.