LSI Partners with School-to-School International on Five-Year Secondary Education Project in Belize
Florida State University’s Learning Systems Institute (LSI) is partnering with School-to-School (STS) International on the Equipping Secondary Educators Program Partnership (ESEPP) in Belize. The partnership will support the Belize Compact Education Project objective to equitably increase the number of post-primary graduates with the competencies relevant to labor market demand.
The Government of Belize and the United States Government, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), officially launched implementation of the Belize Compact in September of 2026. The compact includes a $125 million grant from the U.S. Government through MCC and nearly $55 million from the Government of Belize to increase the number of high school and technical and vocational school graduates with relevant skills for the labor market and reduce the cost of electricity.
“We are extremely excited to begin work on this five-year program to strengthen every level of Belize’s secondary education ecosystem,” said LSI Director Rabieh Razzouk. “LSI has tremendous experience in teaching through capacity building, working in the secondary education space and working internationally. We also have a wonderful working relationship with School-to-School International and have previously collaborated on two successful multi-million dollar projects in Malawi and Zambia.”
The $125 million grant from the United States Government, through MCC, is designed to unlock growth by addressing two of Belize's critical economic constraints: challenges in education and the high cost of electricity. The compact will make strategic investments through two major projects: the Education Project and the Energy Project.
LSI will work with STS to improve the overall numeracy, literacy and 21st Century Skills of secondary graduates by improving the capability and accountability of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MoECST) managing authorities, educators and other actors in the Belizean educational system responsible for providing quality education, which will increase the number of students that complete secondary school with the competencies relevant to labor market demand.
“We are honored to partner with School-to-School International, the MoECST and Belizean institutions on this important initiative,” said Dr. Ana Marty, who will serve as LSI’s PI on the project. “Through the ESEPP project, FSU will support efforts to strengthen teacher preparation, professional development, school leadership, and instructional quality so more Belizean students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need for future success. We are especially excited to work alongside local educators to build sustainable systems that will continue to benefit schools and learners long after the project concludes.”
The Education Project will focus on improving learning outcomes and workforce readiness by strengthening secondary education and transforming Belize's technical and vocational education and training systems.
The project seeks to help more young Belizeans leave post-primary education with the competencies needed to succeed in further education, training and the labor market, including stronger literacy, numeracy, 21st-century skills and certified technical training.
Investments will support improvements in teaching and learning, education quality assurance, student assessment, teacher development and licensing, school leadership and technical and vocational education and training.
“MCC and the Government of Belize designed this compact together in the spirit of true partnership. This grant builds upon development priorities in Belize to deliver long-term economic growth for our people,” said Prime Minister John Briceno.
Dr. Melba Marin-Velasquez is serving as Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on the project and Dr. Stephanie Zuilkowski serves as a key member of the technical team. LSI will focus on strengthening educational quality assurance systems to support improvements in school leadership, teaching quality, and student learning outcomes.