And as we mentioned, the big news at this morning's opening ceremony was the resurrection of Excelsior High School. In 2005 the Government of Belize took control of Excelsior and closed it down. When classes resumed in September of 2005. Excelsior High School became Excelsior Junior High - a preparatory school for students who didn't make the cut to high school. Well two years later the Ministry of Education has had a change of heart. This morning Deputy Chief Education Officer Allan Genitty announced that come September, Excelsior High School will be re-opened as four year institution.
Alan Genitty, Deputy Chief Education Officer
"In 2005, as you know, the Ministry assumed the Management of Excelsior High School to prevent an imminent closure of the school. The Ministry intervened to ensure that this school, which served many young people in this community, could remain open. However, a restructuring of the institution was necessary to make it more efficient and to ensure that students have the opportunity to access a good quality education.
While there is still much more work ahead in achieving this objective, the Ministry pledges its continued support to this school and is pleased to announce that it will further invest in the refurbishment of the upper and lower levels of the two-storey concrete building. This will include a new, improved and equipped Food and Nutrition Room, an improved Clothing and Textiles Room and an equipped Laboratory for Integrated Science. Additionally, the rooms on the lower flat will be renovated to provide space for extra classrooms, toilets and at least one vocational subject.
The renovation and furnishing of the building will create additional classrooms, consequently, allowing the school to expand its offering as it moves into becoming a full-fledged high school in September 2007."
Before its closure, Excelsior High had well over 200 students. Excelsior Junior High only has 65 students. We should note that Excelsior High School was not a government school, it was run by a board from the community. The school had myriad financial problems and turned to government for help. Government's solution then was to close it down.
