Belize’s reliance on a few export commodities and tourism makes it extremely vulnerable to the impact of both natural disasters and global economic downturns, as was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reduced family income limits access and participation in education and increases the need to provide financial support to families.

The country’s Education Sector Plan for the period 2021-2025 is titled “Making Education Work” and its vision is to have an education system that is “inclusive, of high quality, accessible and equitable, technologically driven, and capable of fostering the development of good, productive citizens.”

The sector plan defines 4 strategic priorities:

• Reforming the education system, including reviewing the structure and function of the ministry to be fit for purpose, and getting value for education investments
• Transforming teaching and learning, including reforming the curriculum, improving learning assessments and elevating the teaching profession
• Prioritizing underserved sectors, including early childhood education, student support services and special education
• Maximizing human capital, through improving technical and vocational education and training, and higher and adult education.