Are Taiwan Scholarships Becoming A One-Way Ticket Out of Belize?

If you thought teachers were the only ones leaving Belize for greater opportunities, you may have overlooked the opportunities students also get. For 36 years, Belize has shared a strong and collaborative diplomatic relationship with Taiwan. At Monday’s Senate meeting, that relationship was reaffirmed in a rare moment of unity among senators from both government and opposition, and Taiwan was called a valued ally and development partner.

But while the ties remain firm, UDP Senator and former Minister of Education Patrick Faber raised a long-standing concern: many Belizean students who receive Taiwanese scholarships are not returning home.

“Let me also make a plea,” said Faber. “Because one of the many gifts that Taiwan gives to this country… is access to education for our young people… We need some kind of greater understanding that our students who go to Taiwan to study return to this nation because it is not an individual gift given to individuals who go to study.”

Faber added, “It is the intention of both our nations that once our students go, they will come back and contribute to Belize’s development.”

Leader of Government Business Senator Eamon Courtenay agreed and assured the Senate that the issue has been raised with Taiwan.

“We have engaged the government of Taiwan on this issue,” Courtenay said. “It is counterproductive, and it is counterintuitive… to educate our Belizeans and then… give them a work permit to teach English… and allow them to stay, a residence permit in Taiwan.”

Senator Courtenay added that while there are legitimate reasons for staying abroad, the larger concern must remain focused on strengthening Belize’s human capital.

“As a true partner, we need to find ways to reduce the number of Belizeans who remain in Taiwan after having the benefit of a scholarship,” Courtenay said.