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分类： education

  • Tech Meets Education at Belize’s GeoEducation Expo

    Tech Meets Education at Belize’s GeoEducation Expo

    In a transformative shift for education across Belize, the 10th annual GeoEducation Expo opened this week, turning traditional textbook-based geography learning into an immersive, hands-on experience that connects students directly to the cutting-edge geospatial tools driving global industries. For 15 years, organizer Total Business Solutions Limited (TBSL) has worked to integrate geospatial skill-building into mainstream education, overcoming obstacles including the COVID-19 pandemic and frequent hurricane disruptions to reach this decade-long milestone of the public expo.

    This year’s event drew participants from 30 schools spanning the entire nation, from northern Belize to Punta Gorda in the south. Unlike traditional classroom settings where students memorize map locations, the expo invites learners to interact directly with geographic data, testing tools that professionals rely on every day for urban planning, business development, environmental conservation, and public policy. Attendees got practical experience flying survey drones, testing Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software, exploring Belize’s natural landscapes via virtual reality (VR), and engaging with interactive displays built by partners from both the public and private sectors.

    At the core of the event is GIS technology, a powerful platform that layers multiple sets of geographic data to uncover hidden patterns and relationships across landscapes, communities, and industries. In one of the most popular exhibits, TBSL experts digitized the exact paper maps students already use in their textbooks—including the *Atlas of Belize* and *Belize Facts and Figures*—to turn static pages into dynamic, interactive learning tools. “The exact same maps that are in some of the publications… we actually kind of recreated those so that students can actually be interactive,” explained Carmichael Ellis, Geospatial Solutions Manager at TBSL. “They could get to see the different relationships between those data sets, zoom in and get a real understanding of the topography of Belize and the social interactions between those different data.”

    Beyond exploring pre-built digital maps, the platform gives students free access to build their own custom maps using real, up-to-date data shared by Belizean government agencies including the Forestry Department and the Statistical Institute of Belize. Users can toggle between layers to view rivers, watersheds, population demographics, and topographical features, and even add their own data layers using built-in sketch tools. As TBSL GIS Technician Jamel Tun noted, this free access to ArcGIS Online removes financial barriers for schools, putting professional-grade technology into the hands of learners regardless of their district’s resources. TBSL also highlighted MapMaker Atlas, another free tool for schools that was demoed at this year’s expo to expand classroom access long after the event closes.

    For Belize’s Ministry of Education, the expo represents far more than a showcase of new technology—it is a catalyst for rethinking how students learn to problem-solve. Dian Maheia, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the goal is to foster a new generation of curious, innovative critical thinkers. “I hope that they’re going to recognize the importance of really engaging, not just being viewers of technology, but looking at these maps, looking at the data that’s presented in different ways, and really thinking, like, what does that mean, and how could I use that, and maybe even more, ‘how can I create these sorts of things? How can I be innovative? How can I support?’” Maheia said. “We want our students to really become more scientific thinkers in that way… just questioning things and wanting to figure out how to make things better or how to use tools that are available to us.”

    Organizers note that GIS is already integrated into nearly every sector of Belize’s economy, from election districting and tourism development to agricultural planning and national census data collection. By expanding free access to geospatial training in K-12 and secondary schools, the initiative aims to prepare students for high-skill careers that did not exist a generation ago, building a pipeline of homegrown innovators equipped to solve Belize’s most pressing 21st-century challenges with data-driven insight.

  • Over 900 candidates to sit Caribbean Examinations Council exams this year, says CXC Registrar.

    Over 900 candidates to sit Caribbean Examinations Council exams this year, says CXC Registrar.

    The annual Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) testing window has officially kicked off across the region, with local examination officials confirming that more than 1,700 total candidates are registered to sit for this year’s battery of secondary and post-secondary assessments. Local Registrar Magalie Celestine shared details of the exam timeline and new testing initiatives, noting that the 2026 season got an early start on April 13 with music practical examinations, which have already wrapped up successfully.

    Currently, the next wave of practical and oral assessments is in progress: Physical Education and Sports practical tests, along with French and Spanish oral examinations, are being administered through April 30, according to Celestine. The main written exam portion of the season is scheduled to launch on May 4, falling this year on the May Day public holiday, and will follow a staggered end date. For students pursuing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), written exams will conclude on June 9, while candidates sitting for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) will continue their assessments through June 16, bringing the full six-week exam season to a close.

    Celestine reported that preparations have proceeded smoothly so far, with all 70 trained invigilators in place and 17 testing centers activated across the island to accommodate all registered candidates. Breakdowns of candidate numbers show 965 registered for CSEC, split between 743 school-based candidates and 222 private candidates. An additional 119 candidates are registered for CAPE, 641 for CCSLC, and all testing centers will also host GCE A-Level Cambridge Exams alongside CXC assessments, Celestine confirmed.

    The most notable addition to this year’s exam calendar is the launch of a first-of-its-kind pilot program for the Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate (CTEC), a new modular alternative to the traditional linear assessment model used for CSEC. Unlike the standard full-length linear exams, CTEC breaks subject syllabi into smaller, focused modules that reduce testing time per sitting.

    To illustrate the new structure, Celestine used the example of the CTEC Mathematics assessment: the full CSEC syllabus is split into three separate modules, and candidates sit a shortened version of each exam paper alongside traditional CSEC test-takers. Where standard CSEC Mathematics Paper 1 requires 60 multiple-choice questions completed over 90 minutes, CTEC candidates answer 20 questions in 30 minutes. Similarly, CTEC Paper 2 is trimmed to four structured questions to be completed in 50 minutes, compared to the longer traditional version.

    Fifty private candidates are registered for this inaugural CTEC pilot, marking the first time the modular assessment program has been rolled out anywhere in the Caribbean. Celestine noted that the pilot is the first step in a broader long-term plan to convert all 33 existing CSEC subjects to a modular format, which will eventually give all students the flexibility to choose between the traditional linear assessment pathway and the new modular CTEC option that better fits their learning pace and needs.

  • Muffles College Heads to Global Robotics Stage

    Muffles College Heads to Global Robotics Stage

    A new milestone for STEM education in Belize is set to unfold this week, as 10 talented high school students from Muffles College High School (MCHS) are preparing to carry their nation’s flag at the 2026 FIRST Championship, one of the world’s most prestigious youth robotics competitions, hosted in Houston, Texas’s George R. Brown Convention Center.

    The team, nicknamed the MCHS Bobcats, earned their invitation to the global stage after securing first place at the 2026 Belize National FIRST LEGO League (FLL) competition held this past March. Co-hosted by Belize Elementary School and Belize High School, the national championship drew 10 competing teams from every region of the country. Following the competition’s 2026 theme “Unearthed”, participating students were tasked with developing creative, technology-powered solutions drawing inspiration from the field of archaeology – a challenge that pushed the young innovators to blend historical thinking with cutting-edge technical skill. The MCHS Bobcats outperformed their fellow national competitors to claim the national title and a coveted spot at the global event.

    Organized by the international non-profit organization FIRST, the annual championship runs from April 29 to May 2, bringing together thousands of top youth STEM talent from across the world. The event is designed to showcase young people’s proficiencies in engineering, coding, and critical problem-solving, all within a collaborative, high-energy environment that encourages cross-cultural exchange and innovation. This year’s competition will see the Belizean team go head-to-head with the best young robotics teams from dozens of countries, giving the small Central American nation a rare opportunity to demonstrate its growing STEM capacity on a global platform.

    Sponsored by RF&G, the MCHS Bobcats delegation consists of students Maidie Oliva, Giselie Garcia, Carlos Blanco, Jaevanie De Paz, Aiden Logan, Anais Cruz, Mannat Lalwani, Morgan Chavarria, Zyanie Urbina, and Krystian Krystian, with four faculty coaches Carim Ramirez, Michael Williams, Cecilio Garcia, and William Robinson leading the team in preparation and competition.

  • Applications open: 2027 MEXT Scholarship Programme

    Applications open: 2027 MEXT Scholarship Programme

    Opportunities for international students aiming to pursue advanced academic study in Japan have arrived, as the Embassy of Japan has officially launched the application window for the 2027 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship Programme, fully funded by the Japanese government.

    Designed to connect exceptional global talent with world-class Japanese higher education institutions, the program serves a dual purpose: it opens doors for transformative academic growth for outstanding overseas students, while advancing cross-border people-to-people exchange and nurturing the next generation of globally minded leaders.

    Per the official announcement from the Embassy of Japan, applications are only open to candidates who plan to enroll in a Master’s degree or higher-level doctoral or professional research program at a Japanese university. Successful awardees will receive comprehensive financial support that removes key barriers to studying abroad: the scholarship covers all academic-related costs including entrance examination fees, university admission fees, and full tuition fees. Beyond academic costs, recipients also get a monthly living stipend to cover daily expenses during their studies, plus a complimentary round-trip air ticket between Japan and their home country.

    All applications must be submitted no later than 1 June 2026, and the embassy has confirmed that no deadline extensions will be granted under any circumstances.

    To showcase the program’s long-running impact and the diversity of its past recipients, the embassy shared portraits of recent MEXT scholars from across the Caribbean region: 2022 awardee Darey Ann-Louisville from Suriname, who studies at the University of Tokyo; 2023 recipient Melanie Griffith-Quintyne of St. Lucia, enrolled at Akita University; 2024 scholar Brandon Tulsie from Guyana, attending the Shibaura Institute of Technology; and 2025 awardee Bridget Francis of Trinidad and Tobago, pursuing study at Kyoto University. All photographs included in the announcement are provided by the Embassy of Japan.

    Prospective applicants are advised to review full eligibility criteria and step-by-step application guidance by accessing the Embassy of Japan’s official website, or by scanning the QR code included on the program’s informational flyer.

    Highlighting the value of the opportunity, the embassy emphasized that the program is an ideal fit for driven, ambitious individuals seeking advanced academic experience in Japan, while also creating pathways to contribute to stronger bilateral and global cultural and educational exchange. For students ready to begin their academic journey in one of the world’s leading higher education systems, the application window is open now.

  • CXC calls on Caribbean to rally behind May–June 2026 Examination Candidates

    CXC calls on Caribbean to rally behind May–June 2026 Examination Candidates

    As the 2026 May-June regional examination cycle approaches, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has released a heartfelt, personal appeal to thousands of test-takers across the Caribbean, encouraging candidates to enter their exams with confidence while prioritizing self-care, and reaffirming the institution’s unwavering support for every learner sitting its assessments.

    The message, delivered via a public video address to candidates, parents, teachers and regional education stakeholders, comes from CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wayne Wesley, who framed his communication as a personal note from a lifelong Caribbean educator to students in their final preparation phases. This appeal also lands at a meaningful milestone for the 54-year-old regional assessment body, which has anchored Caribbean education systems for more than half a century.

    Founded in 1972, CXC was created to build and operate a locally rooted assessment system that centers the lived realities, collective aspirations, and sovereign cultural identity of Caribbean people. The first CXC examinations were held seven years after its founding, in 1979, and today, decades later, Dr. Wesley confirmed that the organization’s core founding commitments remain unchanged. “While much has shifted across education and the region over the decades, there are values that have stood the test of time: the cultural relevance of our syllabuses, the global recognition of our qualifications, the dedication of our team, and our absolute commitment to the success of every single candidate that takes a CXC exam,” he stated in his address.

    The upcoming 2026 May-June session will include the full range of credentials offered by CXC, spanning the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC), and the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment™ (CPEA™).

    A highlight of the 2026 cycle is the official pilot launch of the Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate (CTEC) Mathematics Module 1, a development Dr. Wesley framed as proof of CXC’s ongoing work to expand accessible learning pathways for regional learners. More than 2,400 candidates from 13 CXC member states have already registered to participate in this first pilot. Participants in the pilot will earn a CTEC micro-credential as they work toward completing their full CSEC certification, marking a new flexible direction for assessment across the Caribbean.

    The CTEC initiative was first introduced as a key flexible education pathway proposal during CXC’s inaugural Regional Education Conference and Ministerial Forum, co-hosted with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information in Kingston this past March. Education observers have described the four-day gathering as a watershed moment for Caribbean education; the event brought together more than 400 education leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from 27 nations to address the pressing challenges of teaching, learning, and assessment in an increasingly digital era. During the conference, Dr. Wesley emphasized that the region’s assessment systems must adapt to match how digital-native learners engage with and process knowledge, adding that educational equity is not a compromise on excellence, but rather its most authentic form.

    Closing his address to upcoming exam candidates, Dr. Wesley framed current innovations like CTEC as the tangible future of Caribbean education already taking shape across the region. “As you wrap up your final preparations, use your study time wisely. Look after yourself and your mental wellbeing. Eat well, and rest when you need to. Be confident, show up for all of your examinations — you’ve got this,” he urged.

    This report carries a disclaimer from NOW Grenada, which notes that the outlet is not responsible for the views, statements, or third-party media content shared by contributors, and provides a channel for users to report abusive content.

  • Japan embassy announces 2027 MEXT Scholarships

    Japan embassy announces 2027 MEXT Scholarships

    The Embassy of Japan has formally launched the application window for its highly anticipated 2027 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship Program, a fully-funded initiative backed by the Japanese government that opens doors to world-class higher education for outstanding international students. More than just a financial aid package, this scholarship serves as a cornerstone of Japan’s global academic exchange strategy, designed to cultivate cross-border understanding and nurture the next generation of globally minded leaders. Eligibility for the 2027 intake is restricted to candidates aiming to complete a master’s degree or doctoral-level research in Japan, targeting ambitious scholars seeking advanced academic training in one of Asia’s leading higher education systems. The comprehensive funding package eliminates major financial barriers for awardees: it covers all academic-related costs including entrance examination fees, university admission charges, and full tuition, alongside a steady monthly stipend to cover living expenses during the program. To support travel, the scholarship also includes a complimentary round-trip air ticket between recipients’ home countries and Japan, removing additional financial burdens for international participants. A critical note for prospective applicants is the firm application deadline set for June 1, 2026, with embassy officials confirming that no extensions will be granted under any circumstances, so early preparation is strongly encouraged. To help candidates navigate the process, the embassy has published full details on eligibility criteria and step-by-step application guidelines on its official website. Interested individuals can also access this information by scanning the QR code included on the program’s official promotional flyer. Widely regarded as one of the most generous academic scholarship opportunities for international students in Japan, the MEXT Scholarship stands out as a life-changing pathway for motivated scholars ready to advance their academic careers while contributing to stronger people-to-people connections between Japan and countries across the globe. For anyone ready to begin their academic journey in Japan, the application window is open now, and officials urge eligible candidates to submit their materials ahead of the deadline to secure consideration.

  • CXC® Calls on Caribbean to Rally Behind May-June 2026 Examination Candidates as Historic Exam Season Opens

    CXC® Calls on Caribbean to Rally Behind May-June 2026 Examination Candidates as Historic Exam Season Opens

    As one of the Caribbean’s most influential long-standing education institutions opens the doors to its 2026 May-June examination season, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) has issued a heartfelt, region-wide call for collective support for thousands of assessment candidates, while marking a major milestone in Caribbean education with the launch of its first pilot micro-credential program.

    In a public video address shared April 27 from CXC® headquarters in Bridgetown, Barbados, Registrar and CEO Dr. Wayne Wesley extended a personal message of encouragement to candidates, their families, teachers and education stakeholders across the Caribbean, as the region’s largest annual assessment cycle gets underway. This year’s exam session carries unique historic weight for the 54-year-old institution, which was founded in 1972 to build an indigenous, Caribbean-centered assessment system that aligns with the region’s cultural realities, collective aspirations and sovereign identity.

    Dr. Wesley emphasized that despite nearly five decades of evolution since CXC® administered its first full set of exams in 1979, the organization’s core commitments have never wavered. “While much has changed over time, there are some things which have stood the test of time — the cultural relevance of our syllabuses, the global recognition of our qualifications, the diligence of our staff, and our absolute commitment to the success of every single candidate who sits a CXC-administered examination,” he stated.

    This year’s session includes the full range of CXC® qualifications, spanning the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination® (CAPE®), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate® (CSEC®), Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence® (CCSLC®) and Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment™ (CPEA™). But the most anticipated new development of the 2026 cycle is the pilot launch of the Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate (CTEC) Mathematics Module 1, an innovative micro-credential initiative designed to expand flexible learning pathways for Caribbean students. More than 2,400 registered candidates across 13 CXC member states will participate in the pilot, earning stackable CTEC credits that count toward full CSEC® certification — a groundbreaking shift for regional assessment frameworks.

    The CTEC program emerged from planning and discussions held at CXC®’s inaugural Regional Education Conference and Ministerial Forum, co-hosted with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information in Kingston this past March. Widely described by education observers as a watershed moment for Caribbean learning, the four-day summit brought together more than 400 education leaders, policymakers and practitioners from 27 countries to address ongoing challenges in teaching, learning and assessment for the digital age. At the conference, Dr. Wesley argued that regional assessment systems must adapt to how today’s digital-native learners process and engage with knowledge, noting that educational equity is not a tradeoff for academic excellence, but rather its core foundation.

    “This is the future of Caribbean education, taking shape right now,” Dr. Wesley declared of the CTEC pilot and CXC®’s evolving mission. In closing his message to 2026 exam candidates, he offered practical, personal guidance for final preparation: “As you make your final preparations — use your study time wisely. Look after yourself and your mental wellbeing. Eat well. And rest when you need to. Be confident. Show up for all of your examinations. You’ve got this!”

  • Chayah Lauwerends wint nationale speechcontest van JCI Nilom

    Chayah Lauwerends wint nationale speechcontest van JCI Nilom

    The 29th iteration of the JCI Nilom National Speech Contest (NSC) wrapped up over the weekend with a decisive win for Chayah Lauwerends, a VWO-4 student, who earned the prestigious title of Best Speaking Student at the VOS level. Held at the city’s Congress Hall, the annual competition brought together eight promising young speakers from four top secondary institutions: AMS, VWO-4, Edward P. Meyer Lyceum, and Mr. Dr. J.C. de Miranda Lyceum.

    In the weeks leading up to the final event, all contestants received intensive, hands-on training in public speaking and presentation techniques as part of JCI Nilom’s community-focused “Speak Up” initiative, designed to build youth communication confidence. After preliminary rounds, five participants advanced to the final showcase held Saturday, where Lauwerends stood out from the field with the most persuasive and compelling presentation. Joining her on the winner’s podium were Chayenne Etnel from Algemene Middelbare School, who secured second place, and Jayden Post, also a VWO-4 student, who finished third.

    Alain Heave, president of JCI Nilom, emphasized the far-reaching value of the contest beyond a simple competitive event. In his remarks after the final, Heave noted that the competitors had demonstrated that young people not only have meaningful ideas to share, but also the courage to communicate those ideas powerfully and clearly. “It is critically important that young people learn to convey their thoughts both clearly and respectfully,” Heave explained. “This contest is far more than a competition; it is an investment in our youth, and ultimately an investment in the future development of our nation.”

    With Lauwerends’ victory, VWO-4 claimed the coveted rotating Francis Small Trophy, taking the honor from last year’s winning institution, Havo-3. The award was personally presented to the new champion by Richenel Mac Donald, winner of the 28th edition of the National Speech Contest, marking a full passing of the torch to the next generation of skilled young communicators.

  • MP Samuda commends USF Connect a Child Programme as investment in students’ digital future

    MP Samuda commends USF Connect a Child Programme as investment in students’ digital future

    ST ANN, Jamaica — Against a backdrop of growing global digital inequality, Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Member of Parliament for St Ann North East, has publicly lauded the Universal Service Fund (USF) for the life-changing impact of its flagship Connect a Child Programme. At a recent device handover ceremony held at St Ann’s Bay Primary School, where the campus’s 10 highest-achieving students received new tablets, Samuda framed the initiative as both a timely and far-reaching intervention for Jamaica’s education system.

  • Ace Academix to host free Online Creative Writing Workshop for grade 6 Students

    Ace Academix to host free Online Creative Writing Workshop for grade 6 Students

    Dominica-based leading Caribbean education provider Ace Academix is gearing up to launch its third annual 100% free online creative writing workshop, launched in partnership with the Creative Writing Institute of Trinidad and Tobago, ahead of the island’s 2026 Grade 6 National Assessment. Scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, the initiative is open to all Grade 6 students across Dominica, with a specific focus on learners preparing for the high-stakes national examination set to be held in May 2026.

    Now in its third consecutive year, this skills-building program has carved out an important role in Dominican education since its debut in 2024, designed to address a longstanding gap in exam preparation: consistent, high-quality support for writing skills, which are consistently ranked as one of the most challenging components of the Grade 6 National Assessment. Over its first two iterations, the workshop has helped hundreds of learners cultivate the capacity to write effectively, articulately, and confidently under timed exam conditions, laying the groundwork for stronger assessment outcomes.

    Founded in August 2020, Ace Academix has built a reputation as a impact-driven leader in the region’s education space over the past six years, working to expand access to targeted learning resources that help Dominican students reach their full academic potential. A core part of the institution’s strategy to elevate learning outcomes has been building cross-regional and local collaborative partnerships, which allow it to bring diverse expertise and innovative instructional approaches to local students. This year’s partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago-based Creative Writing Institute brings together top writing instruction talent from across the Caribbean to deliver a dynamic, practical learning experience tailored to exam candidates’ specific needs.

    The workshop curriculum is built around four key areas of focus that directly address common student struggles. Participants will gain hands-on practice and guided instruction across four core writing genres tested on the national assessment: narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing. They will also learn easy-to-remember practical acronyms and structured strategies to organize their writing coherently under pressure, build techniques to boost both creativity and clarity in their written work, and master test-taking strategies specifically designed to improve writing performance during timed exams.

    Jemima Mills, Chief Executive Officer of Ace Academix, emphasized the core mission behind the ongoing initiative in a statement announcing the workshop. “Writing is a skill that many students struggle with, especially in high-pressure exam settings,” Mills explained. “Through this workshop, we are equipping students with practical tools, proven strategies, and the confidence they need to approach their upcoming exams successfully. Our continued cross-Caribbean collaboration allows us to deliver a richer, more effective learning experience that meets the unique needs of our students.”

    As a community-focused initiative, the entire workshop is offered completely free of charge to all participating students and families, removing financial barriers to access for learners gearing up for their national assessment. Organizers have noted that capacity for the online event is limited due to the small-group targeted instruction model, so interested participants are encouraged to register as early as possible to secure a spot. Registration can be completed via the official form at https://forms.gle/1y8G9uMamBb5bmK96, and any questions can be directed to the Ace Academix team via phone or WhatsApp at (767) 225-1128 or by email at info@aceacademix.dm.