172 Caye Caulker Students to Get Free Tuition

Caye Caulker, which has been without a physical high school building since Ocean Academy’s campus closed last year, is set to see construction begin on a permanent facility no later than July.

Area Representative André Perez said Ministry of Education officials are scheduled to visit the island next week to assess the site and finalise plans. In the meantime, temporary classroom structures will be installed to address immediate space needs.

Perez stressed that even temporary buildings must meet proper standards. “It’s not just putting up a building ad hoc; it has to be done the proper way.” He said facilities such as electricity, water, and bathrooms must be included to ensure the structures can serve a long-term purpose.

In addition to the construction plans, the government has confirmed it will cover tuition for 172 students beginning next fiscal year, bringing Caye Caulker in line with similar tuition-free arrangements already in place at other public high schools nationwide.

Perez said the initiative will ease the financial burden on families and encourage more students to remain in school. “Several high schools across the country get free tuition… in this case, it’s about 172 students that they’ll be covering tuition this year.”

The tuition funding had previously been delayed due to budget and planning constraints, but Perez said approval has now been secured. “He [Education Minister Francis Fonseca] did assure me that this fiscal year it’ll be included,” Perez said.