ENHANCING EDUCATION USING ICT Belize has long recognized the strategic including School Net importance of education and training as a broadband Internet connectivity principal instrument of economic and social primary and secondary schools and development. Belize already has internet libraries across Belize; Smart classrooms access and IT computer labs in most its initiative secondary schools. This has enabled the secondary classrooms with ICTs for the significant growth of basic computer literacy delivery and skills among those of school-age learning Labs will equip all primary and population who are still in school. GOB and secondary schools with computer labs its for use by students. private sector, civil society and equipping of learning providing primary materials, to and ICT Additionally the partners secondary school system will benefit recognize the need to both widen and from two major initiatives targeting the deepen this process, and therefore commits, management of education information to pursuing the following: and the provision of training material via • eLearning. international development The ICT Curriculum for lifelong learning program will ensure that ICTs form an • • The ICT capacity for teachers & librarians integral part of the education curriculum program addresses the capacity to at all levels as a core subject area and deliver also a learning and curriculum delivery resources and information, in new and tool. innovative ways utilizing ICTs in the Initiatives including the new curriculum, development of a holistic ICT Plan for education education, Secondary secondary teachers and librarians will be curriculum design, will be initiated to exposed to the ICT training initiative that ensure that all areas of the education continuously upgrade their skills to value chain benefits from the application design and deliver learning material of ICTs. utilizing ICTs. Primary and The ICT Facilities development program will provide the necessary equipment and facilities for the ICT empowered delivery of primary and curriculum, and student information and learning secondary access to materials. Several initiatives will be implemented Belize ICT National Strategy system. learning Primary and Teachers are the front line troops in the development of Belize. They should be accorded the status, facilities and role of key change agents not only in delivering the skills of the next generation, but for their influence over the community, 46