FIFA Foundation Digital Education Programme in Belize

Belize
Project under implementation

Description

By integrating Computer Science and Robotics into Belize's educational landscape, the Digital Education Programme embarks on a pioneering journey for teachers and students in 40 Belizean schools. 

The comprehensive approach involves training and empowering educators with technical expertise and vital socio-emotional skills, equipping them with necessary resources, and implementing a tailored three-year curriculum in select schools to nurture holistic student development. FIFA Foundation and the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) will also provide equipment such as robotics kits and laptops for participating schools.  

Furthermore, the project aims to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with future job opportunities in the digital economy. This approach demonstrates promise in addressing the needs of disadvantaged youth in primary and secondary education. 

Project purpose

  • Inspiring Tech Interest: By training teachers in computer science and robotics, we aim to increase interest in technology-oriented subjects among primary and secondary school students and prepare them for tech education programs and careers. 

  • Empowering Youth: Promote digital skills and the development of abilities such as computational thinking, creativity, collaborative work, and problem-solving for students between the ages of 8 and 11 living in vulnerable contexts with the aim of improving their future employability and/or preparing them for further education.   

Project goals

Expansion of Digital Curriculum: Introduce computer science and robotics education in 40 primary schools across Belize.

Teacher Empowerment: Train up to 300 teachers in computer science and robotics curriculum and establish a coaching framework to ensure continued teacher support beyond the project's duration.

Student Impact: Benefit up to 10,000 students aged 8 to 11 over three years.

Coaching Team Development: Train at least 10 teachers as coaches to provide ongoing support for implementation.

Structure

1
Create closer relationships between the Ministry of Education and relevant stakeholders in Belize to contribute to the strengthening of STEAM Education.

Promoting and strengthening the relationship between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) academic institutions, civil society, and the private sector in Belize includes the organization of dialogue workshops including teachers and mentors, the organization of events to inform parents and civil society organizations about tech-careers and programs; and the development of a mechanism to engage the Ministry of Education with citizens in regular dialogues on skills gaps.

2
Expand technological skills, such as computer science/coding and robotics, that are key to innovation and diversification in 40 participating schools.

The trainers will use the Code.org methodology to motivate beneficiaries and assess their absorption and application of the training content. The training experience will be coupled with e-learning and digital platforms. The curriculum will be implemented in all Belizean districts (Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo). 

Strategic partners

Donor
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Which of the following SDGS (Sustainable Development Goals) this project support?