House Approves $47 Million Loan to Build Preschools

The Briceño administration has secured approval from the House of Representatives to borrow BZ$47 million from the World Bank’s International Development Association for a project aimed at expanding early childhood education and boosting employment opportunities for women. The loan comes with an additional US$1.28 million in grant funding.

Prime Minister John Briceño said the money will be used to build new preschool classrooms and improve existing early childhood services. He said the project is intended as a long-term investment in the country’s youngest children and in women who are currently outside the workforce.

The opposition supported the bill but raised concerns about the lack of detail. Opposition Leader Tracy Panton said the motion did not specify which districts or communities would benefit from the new classrooms.

“The motion tells us that the project will operate in targeted areas, but which areas, which district, which communities have been identified as the beneficiaries of new preschool classroom construction? The motion is silent on this,” she stated.

Panton called on the government to ensure that communities with genuine need are the ones that benefit, naming Punta Negra specifically as one she hopes will be included.