And finally tonight, the students in Crooked Tree Village are getting ready for school in a brand new building, complete with wheelchair access ramps, a kitchenette, and COVID safety requirements. The building will house the younger children, including the preschoolers, in an effort to put a greater emphasis on the importance of early childhood education. Courtney Menzies visited the school today and has this story.
The Crooked Tree Government School has been around for almost 200 years - but like most schools, it needed some serious TLC.
And they got it - today a brand new building was inaugurated, complete with modern facilities to ensure that the young students who will use have the most comfortable space to learn in.
The Belize Social Investment Fund Played a huge role in this major upgrade and they're hoping that the children in school today will grow up to be like those who came before them - particularly one student who will be on his way to Harvard University.
Thea Garcia - Board Member, Social Investment Fund
"The young man made the news less than a week ago when he was accepted to Harvard University, one of the most prestigious universities in the entire world. Mr Tillett was in the news some eight years ago when he first topped the PSE back in 2014. It is a success story that I'm sure the Crooked Tree community is excited and proud about. But Ashton Tillett's story, however, is not a singular case here in Crooked Tree. There are so many other successes from this village and while the contributions like this one from the Belize Social Investment Fund, and the government does play a role, it is your effort, your team effort and the support generated within this community that has made this success story even greater."
And SIF's director, Carlos Tun, explained the facilities this new building comes with:
Carlos Tun - Director, Social Investment Fund
"The Crooked Tree preschool facility was built to accommodate students with disabilities by way of an access ramp. It also accommodates a kitchenette, private bathrooms for both faculty and students, as well as storage rooms, custom made furniture and a playground. For security purposes, a fence six feet high constructed using chain link. The work did not end there. As the Belize Social Investment Fund, through the guidance of the Ministry of Education, was able to strengthen and rehabilitate the school building that was here before by adding two additional classroom and storage spaces. A new ceiling in this building was installed and several of the roofing sheets were replaced. New lighting fixtures were installed as well as fans and electrical outlets. New desks and chairs were provided and several of the windows, doors, and locks were replaced."
While the children were excited about their new building, the PR rep from the Ministry of Education emphasized the need for early childhood education - which is a part of their newest campaign.
Kevin Chen - PR Rep, Ministry of Education
"Across Belize, preschool is something that a lot of parents don't give much thought to. We know that from the statistics that we have, about 40% of all children receive a preschool education before moving on to primary education. That number needs to be increased, that number needs to go up because I'm sure the teachers here who work in the preschool, and many of you, can attest that early childhood education is absolutely important to the development of our children. At this age, at this stage in their lives, this is when the majority of the development of their brain, of their understanding of our society is happening. And this is the time when we should be engaging with them to ensure that we can instill the best of and the most knowledge in them."
Uriela Wade - Head Teacher
"Through the efforts of the government, SIF, and the Caribbean Development Bank, our community of Crooked Tree can now boast a new and modern school building which no doubt will serve its purpose in the development of our young children and in our community."
