Stella Maris School Construction Set for Later This Year, Says Fonseca

A few days ago, the government of Belize officially announced that the bidding process for the infrastructure remodelling of Stella Maris School and the Belize Academy for the Deaf opened. Today, News 5 asked Education Minister Francis Fonseca when the school is expected to start construction. He said that the bidding process is expected to last about two months, followed by a few additional months for preparations.

“Probably the latter quarter of this year is when you’re likely to see work start,” Fonseca said.

During a house meeting on February 7, Fonseca had announced that an $800,000 investment would be made to rehabilitate and refurbish the school grounds, with a focus on increasing security measures. “We are absolutely committed to ensuring that something like this does not happen again,” Fonseca said, referring to Little Gabriel Orellano’s tragic death after walking out of the school’s compound unnoticed.

In his announcement on February 7, Fonseca detailed that upgrades would include reinforcing the school’s fencing, improving accessibility, and enhancing security measures, such as the installation of gates and hiring more wardens.