An Online Option for Primary Education in Belize

Many tertiary institutions in Belize are still finding their way through the transition to fully online education. For secondary schools, the challenge of offering a virtual option is even greater. Initially, we assumed that primary-level education in a virtual setting was non-existent. However, we stumbled upon a school that not only offers this service but does so with an innovative twist that piqued our interest. This month, our ‘On The Bright Side’ series shines a light on unconventional education. This week, we feature La Isla Carinosa Academy, one of only two fully online primary schools in Belize.

 

Sabreena Daly

In 2020, our dependence on technology became indispensable as the world abruptly transitioned online for work and education. Since then, many have adapted in various ways—some reverting to their pre-pandemic habits, while others have embraced changes that could forever alter our lifestyles and work environments. While many have resumed traditional methods, a significant number, particularly in the education sector, have fully embraced this digital transformation. So when we discovered that there was a primary learning institution in Belize that transitioned to online learning and stayed there, even after having the option to return to face-to-face learning, that sparked our interest. And to speak to the persons guiding this process, you’d imagine, we had to jump online as well.

 

Eryn Peters was only six years old when she made the switch from traditional classroom learning to online education at La Isla Carinosa Academy. That was four years ago.

 

Eryn Peters, Student, La Isla Carinosa Academy

“In standard one, we have learned a lot more information than I have gotten in face to face learning and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but when I go over to other schools and ask what they’re doing in their classroom,  they tell me something that I’ve already learned in my class, even though we’re in the same classroom.”

She embarked on her online learning adventure in Standard One, while her mother, a dedicated teacher at a traditional school, courageously chose to keep her daughter in this innovative and unconventional educational path.

 

Reena Peters, Parent
“To me, it helped the children to be more prepared for the future especially in this era in technology. They probe the children to think outside the box, to be creative, to be free thinkers, critical thinkers. And, I love that about the way they deliver their lessons. And so I thought tha La Isla Cariñosa is the perfect place for my child.”

 

Dr. Alberto August, a passionate career educator, has devoted his entire life to the field of academics. In 2015, he realized his dream by founding an educational institution on Caye Caulker. When the pandemic struck, Dr. August was quick to adapt to the changing landscape of education. Since then, his academy has seamlessly transitioned to a permanent virtual platform, now enrolling over fifty students from within the country and abroad. This innovative online learning model has become an invaluable and far-reaching resource, offering primary level education to a diverse student body.

 

Dr. Alberto August, Founder, La Isla Carinosa Academy
“It started out as a physical school on Caye Caulker in September 2015. We had practices, for example, away from the traditional. We had no bell, so we had clocks. We had no lineup, so the children learned orderly how to go to classes and how to respect each other’s space. We didn’t have a roll call of attendance. We had a small class size. We had technology embedded and we didn’t punish children. That was one of our big things. We focused on positive reinforcement besides punishing children.  We got enrollment from Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, Toledo; all six districts. As a matter of fact, some of our enrollment were students from Guatemala, from Mexico. From the United States, we had students in our program. Yes. So it was that. And that was how we delivered across, not just Belize, across the region.”

 

The teachers at La Isla Carinosa are equipped with specialized skills tailored for online learning—a challenge that many traditional educators would have faced during the Covid Pandemic. Tanisha Lawrence has been an educator with La Isla Carinosa Academy her entire teaching career.

 

Tanisha Lawrence, Teacher, La Isla Carinosa
“The major difference is, getting to meet all the different people from around the country, having all of those, you know, personalities, those lives in our classes as well. I honestly don’t see it as very different because It’s the same amount of work. You still have to do the same planning, you still have to do the same reflecting, you still have to do the same amount of work. But. It comes with experience. This is my fourth year teaching online and everything is just super easy now and I get to enjoy it more.”

Dr. Alberto August

“I have a group of wonderful experienced teachers, and one thing that I found was key to that is the constant connection. For example, at our school, we have a CPD session weekly. That was something we started in 2015. Even today,  this week, we have a CPD session where we train our teachers. It’s not just a meeting for a meeting sake. It’s sharing strategies. Sharing research, sharing ideas to develop our lesson, our lessons, our school. And so we have weekly PD sessions, which, which most schools in my, in Belize do not have.”

 

You might wonder, do these students genuinely feel a sense of achievement and fulfillment within this distinctive educational system? A LICA education could be the perfect fit for those eager to leverage the benefits of technology-driven learning. While students may not meet face-to-face, their connections transcend physical boundaries, creating a global community. The school’s motto serves as a powerful reminder of the core values that guide our interactions and how we should treat one another.

 

Eryn Peters
“Based on my experience, I would say that it’s very fun and I think that it would be a nice adjustment to any child that’s in primary school to do online primary school because during online primary school everybody, they’re so nice to you because our golden rule in the entire school, basically our motto is Be kind to others and be treated how you want to be treated.  So, knowing from that, you can know that it’s a very kind and sociable experience and environment.”

 

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.