Belizean Students Return to Competency-Based Learning

Hundreds of students returned to the classroom on Monday morning and will be taught using competency-based learning. The Ministry of Education says that contrary to statements made by former BNTU President, Ruth Guerra-Shoman, the entire competency-based transition has been done in close partnership with all education stakeholders. The new strategy focuses on specific subjects and examinations to eliminate redundancy and concentrate on competencies rather than content. Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca, explained today that while it is being implemented, teachers are still working with the ministry to fine-tune the new curriculum.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education: “We’re certainly not in any rush. We have worked very closely with our education community to implement the new curriculum framework. The BNTU has been there with us every step of the way. Senator Elena Smith represented the BNTU at every consultation across the country, widespread consultations. And we’re not in any rush, as I believe the ministry has pointed out. We have asked the schools to put in place a three-year plan. How can that be a rush? A three year plan for the implementation of this new curriculum framework. So we believe that there has been meaningful consultation. With any change, with any change, especially curriculum reform which is very transformative, very bold, very progressive, with any change of that nature obviously there will be hiccups, there will be challenges, but we are approaching those in a spirit of compromise, a spirit of flexibility working with our schools and working with our teachers to ensure that we address every and any concern that they have.”