70 Schools Gain Internet Through ConnectED Project

Seventy schools across the country are now connected to high-speed internet, thanks to the ConnectED project. This fantastic initiative is a joint effort between the Ministry of Education and Digi, ensuring that schools not only get fast internet but also receive top-notch technical support, maintenance, and continuous monitoring. The big signing ceremony happened at Our Lady of the Way Roman Catholic Primary School in Ladyville. It was a lively event with students, teachers, and key stakeholders all coming together to celebrate this significant leap towards digital integration. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the full story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The digital divide is closing fast. Since its launch in 2022, the ConnectEd project has been transforming education by boosting wireless connectivity across school campuses. As of this month, two hundred and eighty-three schools are now connected, benefiting almost seventy-eighty thousand students and four thousand, five hundred teachers. Minister of Education Francis Fonseca recently announced the rollout of phase two, which will connect seventy more schools. This initiative is truly revolutionizing learning in Belize.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“You had schools where they had some access to the internet, right? They had access. But very often it was in a computer lab or in an office, in the principal’s office, right? Or somebody in a main office. And we recognize that was not enough, that was not sufficient, that was not adequate. We want to make sure that our young people, wherever they are on this beautiful campus, that they will have access to the internet. You no have to di go run inna the teachers lounge or the office or going just in the computer lab. So that’s an important component of this initiative and that’s why the government of Belize has invested millions of dollars in this initiative.”

 

Fonseca estimates that about seventy-five percent of schools are now digitally connected, but he assures us that the government’s mission won’t stop until every single school is online. The launch of phase two was celebrated with a signing ceremony at Our Lady of the Way Primary School in Ladyville. During the event, the Ministry of Education also gifted the school with twenty-two Chromebooks. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia highlighted just how crucial internet access is for the community.

 

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Area Representative, BRC

“Digital connection for education is so very important. I want to recall minister, three years ago, I had the distinct honor of joining you and your delegation in London for the Education World Forum. After COVID. It was being stressed the importance of digital learning worldwide. And now that we see BTL working with the Ministry of Education to bring this project online today and to increase the Internet connection of this very large school.  Principal, how much enrollment? Three hundred and sixty students. Wow. And I know Ladyville Evangelical has another three hundred and odd and Ladyville SDA, Seventh Day Adventist, they have what mussi bout three hundred as well. So you can see the impact that this community is having on education for our children.”

 

Digi is all in on this mission. They’ve pledged to support the government’s goal of getting every school in Belize connected to the internet. To make this happen, they’ve signed two contracts: one to keep the ConnectED program running in the 213 schools already benefiting, and another to expand it to 70 more schools. Digi CEO Ivan Tesucum shared his excitement to continue the partnership.

 

Ivan Tesucum, Chief Executive Officer, Digi

“With this expansion, we’re bringing high speed internet connectivity to more corners of Belize, north to south, east to west. Ensuring that students nowhere are left behind, doesn’t matter where you are, and that they can access equitable quality of education. That is the key.  At Digi or National Telecom, we believe that connectivity means more than just accessing the internet. It is the gateway to knowledge, innovation, and empowerment. Connectivity is about inspiring a generation to dream bigger. To think beyond what we see. To think beyond the boundaries. And to shape Belize. Yes, to put Belize on the map. Into the educational sphere. And create an environment where teaching and learning are not just about books. But it’s also about being dynamic. Being able to interact globally. And to be able to collaborate worldwide”

 

Tesucum encouraged the students at the ceremony to let their curiosity lead them to new heights as they take advantage of the digital world and its opportunities. Britney Gordon for News Five.