No such thing as ‘free education,’ says Opposition
By Aaron Humes: Despite introducing the concept in 1993, the United Democratic Party (UDP) now says ‘free education’ is not working as intended. According to Leader of the Opposition Tracey Taegar-Panton, “No matter how many times the Government repeats the claim of “free education,” the lived reality for too many Belizean families is clear: Education […] The post No such thing as ‘free education,’ says Opposition appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Black News 
By Aaron Humes: Despite introducing the concept in 1993, the United Democratic Party (UDP) now says ‘free education’ is not working as intended.
According to Leader of the Opposition Tracey Taegar-Panton, “No matter how many times the Government repeats the claim of “free education,” the lived reality for too many Belizean families is clear: Education is not free!!! Over the past several weeks, our Albert office has been inundated with requests from families whose children are now being told they may not be allowed to graduate unless outstanding school fees are settled. It is heartbreaking.”
Panton goes on to point out that the Ministry of Education has been delayed in paying tuition assistance sought by families at the beginning of the school year, and as a result, students are not being allowed to graduate or receive their grades until their outstanding balances are paid.
As schools from ABC to UB impose more and greater fees for their continued administration, Panton continues, families already struggling to survive are being forced to make choices between food, rent, utilities and paying for school.
She also reveals that the Ministry’s new online request system adds further bureaucracy, requiring a valid Social Security card or passport, student ID, BEMIS ID (referring to the Belize Education Management and Information System, official school invoice, grade point average record, school transcript or progress report, etc.
Panton concludes, “When we fail to provide for and support our young minds, we fail our children. We fail our families. We fail our communities. We compromise the very future of Belize. This is not just an education issue. This is a national crisis of priorities. Our children deserve better. Our families deserve better. Belize deserves better.”
The Government has proposed to look into the fee system and expanded ‘free education’ to all Government-run schools countrywide, though the majority are run by Christian denominations under the grant-aided program.
The post No such thing as ‘free education,’ says Opposition appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
