Every year governments spends more money on education than it does on any other budget item. This year alone, 20 percent of government's budget will go towards education. And as the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is expected. Today the Ministry of Education oiled up their $100 million machinery for an open day at the House of Culture. It featured exhibits from all departments within the Ministry. Education Minister Francis Fonseca said 20% of the budget is being well spent.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"It allows the Ministry of Education an opportunity to showcase the work that we are doing so we have on display all the various units, the departments of the Ministry of Education, and we are sharing with the Belizean people, our community, the work we do. People have an opportunity to come in and ask questions abut what we are doing, to get information. If you want to be a teacher for example you can come to the QUADS Unit and find out about what it takes to be a teacher, the process. If you want find out about what e are doing in technical and vocational education and training, there is a booth that shows exactly what we are doing. Our early childhood education and development, special education, adult and continuing education; all of these important areas of work. If you are interested in finding out about scholarships you can come to the tertiary education unit and find out about the opportunities that exist for scholarships throughout the region. So that is our primary objective, really to showcase the work of the Ministry.
As you know the Ministry of Education commands over 20% of the national budget so we have a real responsibility and an obligation to report back to people so that they have an opportunity to see exactly what we are doing, whether they are getting value for that money that is being invested in education, so that is our objective."
