The importance of ensuring that our children are receiving the highest quality of education in Belize cannot be emphasized enough in a context in which the challenges of social and economic development are characterized by rapid change and increasing uncertainty and complexity. There is no doubt that these challenges are demanding higher levels of innovation and creativity and that the education system of Belize must rise to this challenge. Our education system needs to become responsive, dynamic and innovative. It cannot wait for waves of educational reform but rather renewal must be built into it at all levels. In essence, Belize’s education system must become a learning organization populated with people with adequate training and the ability to constantly innovate and learn at all levels but especially at the school and classroom level.
Unfortunately, our system is plagued by the fact that a large number of our teachers do not have the minimum teaching credentials. As part of its commitment to the sustainable development of Belize, Galen University has undertaken to make a positive contribution by launching a campaign to attract highly able young people into the teaching profession, providing teachers with the highest quality of education and delivering its programs in a manner that is flexible and accessible. It launched its Associate and Bachelor Degree in Primary education at its Central Farm Campus offering the opportunities for teachers to specialize in key curricular areas including Mathematics, Science, Language and Social Studies. The Primary Education Degree builds on the Associate Degree offered at junior colleges, UB and Galen University and can be completed part time in three years. Galen’s programs are designed for full-time and part-time study.
Galen University is now partnering with Corozal Junior College to offer the opportunity to teachers in the northern districts to pursue a Bachelor Degree. The program will be offered at CJC campus during Saturdays, evenings and summers in a way that accommodates working teachers and allows them to balance the demands of teaching and studying. Galen University invites all interested teachers to enroll in the program. We offer a variety of financial aid opportunities.
