Ministry of Education Progresses in Establishing National Accreditation Council Office

The Ministry of Education is in the process of establishing a special office for the National Accreditation Council in Belmopan.  Additionally, vacancies are looking to be filled to man the office, once established.  According to the Education Minister, Francis Fonseca, with the legislation recently passed in the House of Representatives, they are moving full steam ahead. 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education: “The accreditation council work, as you know we passed the legislation, we amended the legislation just a couple of weeks ago in the National Assembly, so we finally amended the law. We are setting up an office at the Ministry of Education in Belmopan, Accreditation Council Office. So that’s where we are with it. We have to staff that office and then we move on with the work. But we’re working very closely with ATLIB to advance that work. So that’s where it is but the main thing is that we have passed the legislation and we are establishing the office which will be responsible for carrying out the work.”

The post of Executive Director for the National Accreditation Office was recently advertised with a deadline for applications being February 5.  With online studies now a global norm, and with social media exposing opportunities to study online or abroad, the government is forced to streamline, and establish clear standards to determine the quality of education.  Minister Fonseca noted in the House Meeting in October 2023, quote, “Increased numbers of virtual and online education providers are now promoting education at all levels, as well as degrees at a cheaper cost to be completed within a shorter time frame. So naturally many of our Belizean professionals or public officers are going to these entities and pursuing their education through these entities which are easily accessible. The objective of course is to lead to upward mobility and higher remuneration. And this reality has triggered the proliferation of the degree mills and unfortunately questionable qualifications in people across our country.”  End of quote.