Homeschooling growth has become a worldwide phenomenon due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many families to reevaluate the education of their children in the public school system.
After a stint of “schooling at home,” many parents have decided that they are more than equipped to take the jump towards home education for the current school year—especially as public schools postpone start dates, go fully online, or use social distance precautions.
Countries across the globe are experiencing this trend, and with more homeschooling families, more governments are enacting regulations on home education. Belize is no exception.
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture established homeschool protocols and a series of application forms in August, asking for the parent to hold academic qualifications equivalent to an associate’s degree.
Deputy Chief Education Officer Cecilia Ramirez-Smith told Breaking Belize News (BBN) “Ву оur сurrеnt ѕtаndаrdѕ, thаt соmреtеnсе lеvеl іѕ аt аn аѕѕосіаtе dеgrее lеvеl. Wе fееl, bаѕеd оn оur оwn rеquіrеmеntѕ fоr оur tеасhеrѕ іn оur ѕсhооlѕ, thаt реrѕоnѕ whо wоuld hаvе соmрlеtеd асаdеmіс іnѕtruсtіоn tо thе аѕѕосіаtе lеvеl wоuld bе аblе tо рrеѕеnt tо ѕtudеntѕ іn а mеаnіngful wау, іn а wау thаt thеу саn undеrѕtаnd іnѕtruсtіоn аt hоme.”
Other regulations include conducting term visits to monitor student engagement and progress, and conducting an academic evaluation which includes an interview of the child and other forms of assessments.
If the homeschool request is not approved, or if the year-end evaluation suggests that the education of the child is not adequate, the Ministry of Education will require the child to return to school. If the child is not registered within a month of such a decision, “the ministry will act in accordance with its legal responsibility.”
You can see the full application here.
HSLDA supports homeschool families across the globe by advocating for freedom to choose home education without unnecessary government interference. Belize is just one example of other countries who are establishing regulations towards home education as homeschooling becomes more widespread.
This November 9–13, the Global Home Education Exchange is hosting it’s fourth Global Home Education Conference—online! You won’t want to miss this opportunity as GHEC explores how this global movement has now become a global solution. Preregister today!