BELIZE CITY – In a landmark move for disability rights and educational equity, the Belizean government has officially launched a comprehensive $3 million rehabilitation project for Stella Maris School, the nation’s sole dedicated institution for children with special needs. The announcement, made on December 5, 2025, culminates years of advocacy and promises a transformative upgrade to the facility’s infrastructure.
The ambitious initiative, a core component of the Belize Education Sector Reform Project Two, is funded with support from the Caribbean Development Bank. It aims to completely reimagine the learning environment for the school’s 132 students, ensuring full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Key features of the project include the construction of essential ramps, ADA-compliant bathroom stalls, and a modernized administrative building.
Beyond basic accessibility, the plan introduces specialized facilities designed to foster independence and vocational skills. A new occupational and physical therapy room, an upgraded kitchen for the school’s student-run snack program, a dedicated laundry room, and a street-facing snack shop for product sales are central to the project’s vision. These enhancements are intended to equip students with practical life skills for future self-sufficiency.
Further compound improvements involve enhanced drainage systems, extended sidewalks, and a brand-new, accessible playground. With construction fast-tracked for a September completion, the Stella Maris community has been temporarily relocated to the University of Belize campus. Principal Doreth Pascasio Griffith reports a successful transition, praising her dedicated staff and parents for maintaining a stable and happy environment for the students.
The project holds profound personal significance for Minister of Education Francis Fonseca, who cited his father’s visual impairment as a driving force behind his commitment. He emphasized that the overhaul is not merely about inclusion but about empowering Belize’s most vulnerable youth to lead dignified, independent, and productive lives, free from societal dependence.