The Belizean Ministry of Education has unveiled comprehensive safety enhancements and a permanent memorial tribute at Stella Maris School following the tragic drowning of Gabriel Orellano, an autistic student who wandered from the facility earlier this year. Education Minister Francis Fonseca confirmed the initiatives during a press briefing on December 5, 2025, detailing how the nation’s sole public school for children with diverse abilities will undergo significant security improvements.
The tragedy, which profoundly affected the Belizean community, triggered an immediate review of safety protocols and physical security measures at the educational facility. Minister Fonseca emphasized that the rehabilitation project extends beyond physical infrastructure to include meaningful recognition of the young student whose death prompted national calls for systemic reform.
Key components of the safety overhaul include complete perimeter fencing around the entire compound and enhanced security protocols designed to prevent similar incidents. The minister simultaneously revealed plans to install a commemorative plaque honoring Gabriel Orellano’s memory during the facility’s reopening ceremony scheduled for 2026.
Fonseca noted that his ministry has maintained ongoing communication with the Orellano family throughout the evaluation and planning process, ensuring their concerns are addressed in the redevelopment plans. The combined approach of physical security enhancements and symbolic memorialization represents the government’s comprehensive response to both practical safety needs and emotional healing within the special needs education community.