By Belize Live News Staff: The government’s initiative to provide free high school education is yielding positive but gradual results in curbing dropout rates, according to Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca. The Education Upliftment Project (EUP), which eliminates financial barriers for students attending select government secondary schools, has led to a modest increase in enrollment, but more work is needed to ensure students stay in school and complete their education.
“We have seen an incremental decrease in the dropout rate, but it’s not where we want it to be,” Fonseca acknowledged. He noted that while enrollment has increased in most participating schools, one school in the south has experienced stagnant enrollment.
Statistics from the Ministry of Education indicate a 0.8% increase in the enrollment rate for the 2022-2023 school year. This suggests that removing tuition and fees is encouraging more students to access secondary education. However, the government recognizes that increasing enrollment is only the first step.
“We need to focus on retention and completion rates,” Fonseca stressed. The EUP provides additional support such as meals, uniforms, transportation, and learning devices to address some of the challenges students face in staying in school. The government is also investing in improving school infrastructure to create a more conducive learning environment.
While the progress is encouraging, the marginal improvement in enrollment highlights the complex nature of dropout rates. Socioeconomic factors, family circumstances, and the quality of education all play a role in students’ decisions to stay in school or leave.
The government remains committed to tackling these challenges and ensuring that all Belizean students have the opportunity to complete their high school education.
