School in Belize: compulsory from 5 to 14, tuition-free schools and a student permit per school year
In Belize education is compulsory from age 5 to 14. Government schools and government-aided schools, often run by a church, charge no tuition, though sometimes a fee. A foreign child over 5 needs a student permit from the immigration department, for BZ$ 200 per school year. Secondary education lasts four years and is not compulsory.
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In Belize education is compulsory for children aged 5 to 14. The Ministry of Education recognises three types of school: government, government-aided and private. Government and government-aided schools charge no tuition. A foreign child over 5 does need a student permit from the immigration department, for BZ$ 200 per school year.
What does the school system look like?
| Stage | Duration | Age | Compulsory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-primary | 2 years | before primary school | no |
| Primary (Infants 1–2 and Standards 1–6) | 8 years | officially 5 to 12; entry from 4 years and 8 months | yes, from 5 to 14 |
| Secondary (Forms 1–4) | 4 years | officially 13 to 16 | no |
| Tertiary | associate degree or bachelor's | after secondary | no |
A school year has at least 180 school days. At primary school children get four hours of lessons a day in Infants 1 and 2, and five hours in Standards 1 to 6. At secondary school it is at least six hours.
Which school do you choose?
A government school is owned by the government. A government-aided school is usually owned by a church or community group and receives money from the government, for example for teachers' salaries. Both are tuition-free. They may charge a special fee, with the approval of the Chief Education Officer. A private school is paid for by its owner, and therefore by you.
Every school with government money has a board, a Managing Authority, that sets policy. When you visit, ask about fees, uniforms and books.
What applies in secondary education?
Secondary school is not compulsory. Your child needs a primary school certificate to enter. If places are limited, the school may look at grades and the result of the PSE, an exam at the end of primary school. Core subjects in the lower years include English, mathematics, Spanish, social studies, integrated science, information technology and religion.
At the end of Form 4 most students take one or more exams of the CSEC, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate. They are not compulsory, but some universities in the region and beyond ask for them for admission.
How do you apply for the student permit?
A child attending school in Belize needs a valid student permit before the school year starts. You apply at the immigration department; the sticker goes into the passport straight away. For primary and secondary education it is valid for one school year.
| What you bring | Note |
|---|---|
| Letter from the school | from a registered school; for home schooling a letter from the Ministry of Education |
| Letter of financial support | signed before a Justice of the Peace, with a $ 1.50 stamp |
| Two colour photos | white background |
| Birth certificate | translated if not in English |
| Parental consent | if a parent is not in Belize |
| Child's passport | with a copy of the personal details page |
| Sponsor's status | permanent residence or a work permit |
The immigration department names as sponsor a parent with permanent residence or a work permit. If you are still living in Belize as a visitor yourself, ask in advance what applies to your child. Have the birth certificate apostilled and translated in the Netherlands.
In the QRP programme children under 18 come along as dependants. A Social Security card on a student permit is not valid for work; a side job is therefore not allowed with it.
What stops in the Netherlands?
Child benefit stops. Article 7b of the Child Benefit Act gives no child benefit for a child who does not live in the Netherlands on the first day of a quarter. The exception applies only to countries under the European coordination regulation. See AOW, pension and tax in Belize and emigrating with children.
What you arrange in the first weeks is in the first weeks in Belize.
In Vertrekklaar this is phase 1 of 5 of the journey, step 1.5: the same steps, but for your situation — in your order, tickable, and with the deadlines watched. See the whole journey to Belize or go straight to step 1.5 in the open plan.
What this rests on
The facts in this article come from these official pages. Rules change. When in doubt, go by the source, not this article.
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology — the education system, compulsory schooling and the types of schools — moecst.gov.bz
- Ministry of Education — primary education, with the age of entry — moecst.gov.bz
- Ministry of Education — secondary education, not compulsory, with CSEC exams — moecst.gov.bz
- Education and Training Act 2010, section 59 — the duty of parents to send a child aged 5 to 14 to school — moecst.gov.bz
- Immigration and Nationality Department — the student permit, fees and documents — immigration.gov.bz
- Belize Tourism Board — children under 18 as dependants in the QRP programme — belizetourismboard.org
- Social Security Board — a card on a student permit is not valid for work — socialsecurity.org.bz
- General Child Benefit Act, article 7b — no child benefit for a child living outside the Netherlands — wetten.overheid.nl
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