Belmopan. November 9, 2021. 11:05 a.m.
A pro tempore Curriculum Reform Steering Committee (CRSC) has been constituted for the period November 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. The main objective of the CRSC is to oversee the implementation of the UNESCO/IBE (International Bureau of Education) Curriculum Reform Framework and to set the foundation for the important work of curriculum reform in Belize.
Education stakeholders have been lamenting the stagnant performance of students over the past few decades. Fortunately, via recent extensive consultations with 17 stakeholder groups, consensus is that one of the main culprits is a ballooning curriculum.
In an important webinar on “Curriculum Overload” hosted by UNESCO/IBE and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on November 8, 2021, Dr. Hon. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST), presented on a pilot project that has commenced in Belize. The pilot of a reduced or optimised curriculum will be evaluated to ascertain its impact on student performance and the well-being of students, teachers, and parents.
The newly constituted steering committee comprises of the following expert education stakeholders:
1. H.E. Mrs. Rosanna Briceño, Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children
2. Mr. Ray Lawrence, Principal, Stann Creek Ecumenical College
3. Dr. Mathias Vairez, Assistant Professor, University of Belize (Punta Gorda)
4. Mrs. Salome Tillett, Principal, St. Catherine Academy
5. Fr. Antonio Anderson, Chairman, John Paul II Junior College
6. Dr. Priscilla Brown-Lopez, Education Consultant
7. Dr. Janeen Quiroz, Assistant Professor, University of Belize (Belmopan)
8. Ms. Althea Jorgenson, Teacher, St. Ignatius Primary School (Belize National Teachers’ Union representative)
The committee will be chaired by Dr. Hon. Louis Zabaneh and its secretariat will be led by Ms. Michelle Turton from the Quality Assurance & Development Services (QADS).
The MoECST thanks all members of the committee and looks forward to their leadership that will guide the much-needed overall reform of curriculum from early childhood learning to secondary education in Belize.
Ends
