Tonight the Minister of Education is confirming that, just as suspected, a pandemic spent far from the confines of the classroom has resulted in students falling behind, particularly in the key subject areas of Math, English, and Science.
But rather than just complain the minister did offer a working solution.
Here's what he told us about the Ministry's plan to provide some remedial summer schooling.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education, Culture
"The assessment test, as you know we instituted what we call the BDAT Belize, Diagnostic, Assessment, Test and I think generally, generally those assessment tests are establishing very clearly our children have fallen behind. Particularly in the areas of math, science, and English. Those are three critically important areas. So, there is a lot of work we knew that. We just needed to really validate that sense that we had with the data and information that we had so there is a lot of work to do but we are taking unique steps to address that issue. We're launching very shortly a summer program, a loss mitigation summer program across the country that will target directly you know those gaps those learning gaps that have been identified and we're working with master teachers we are taking on some retired teachers who will work. Specifically, work with these students throughout the country on addressing those learning gaps that have been identified."
