by Kory Leslie (Freelance Writer)
BELMOPAN, Belize, Fri. Nov. 25, 2022
Last Friday, there was a set of new, youthful faces inside the National Assembly building, where the National Children’s Parliament was held. Fifty-one secondary and tertiary students went to Belmopan to debate a bill surrounding the topic, “Vocational Education Development” in a refreshing manner free of the usual contentious exchanges that the Belizean public has grown accustomed to.
Filling the role of Prime Minister was Tomas Serrut, who took an affirmative stance on the simulated bill and focused on the positive benefits of having a diversified education system that creates technical artisans:
“… the Education and Training Vocational Education Development Bill 2022 is moving our education system forward by means of introducing as well as increasing vocational training and high-quality education within secondary and tertiary institutions. Supplied with the tools necessary to offer the highest quality education, providing the means to become further economically productive, and developing the potential for stronger livelihoods which fosters overall enhanced lives for Belizean youths. Initiating change in a wave of evolution in our developing education system, as all individual directions are different. We’re not all in pursuit of academic activities and scholarly goals as our means of livelihood,” said Serrut.
Those also in support of the bill, such as Raul Vargas, youth representative for Fort George; and Aoife Wade, youth representative for Belize Rural Central, also highlighted noteworthy arguments such as the learning gap for children who may not be academically inclined and would fare better in vocational school. Likewise, Wade made reference to the devastation caused by Hurricane Lisa earlier this month, which further illuminated the need for technically trained professionals in Belize during times of natural devastation.
On the contrary side, Lily Pike took on the role of Leader of the Opposition and opposed the bill, stating, in essence, that there is no need to re-invent the wheel when many institutions already have curricula to support technical learning:
“I prefer a compromise. Why create something from scratch when you can instead develop what we already have? In quite a few institutions in Belize, these courses have already been embedded into their curriculum. You know these as technical schools, such as ITVET, Orange Walk Technical High School, and Ladyville Technical High. By providing accessibility and education, we not only help those who are not academically inclined, we also give a chance to those who love academic school to continue their education. Technical schools are available, they just need to be better,” Pike stated.
Championing their colleague was Heather Leigh-Stewart, youth representative for Orange Walk West; and Diana Montes, youth representative for Toledo West, who argued that the country doesn’t have the financial capacity to pay our already under-compensated educators who would need additional training and development to accommodate an increase of vocational institutions.
The bill was debated for just above two hours following months of preparation by the National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC).