CONFRONTING ^ INEQUALITY IN BELIZEAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS EDUCATIONAL

Reforming the Financing of Secondary Education Promoting Access, Equity and Quality

Education Financing in Belize Source: World Bank Education data

Belize and top performers: Some comparative data Sorce: World Bank Education Data

Resource Allocation and Outcomes Source: World Bank Education Indicators and UNESCO Database

Resource Allocation and Outcomes Source: LSMS, 2002 and MoE Database

Resource Allocation and Outcomes Source: MOE databases Some schools receiving more funding per student than others

Resource Allocation and Outcomes Source: LSMS, 2002

Resource Allocation and Outcomes

Source: Ministry of Economic Development

EQUALITY IS NOT ALWAYS JUSTICE BUT

THIS IS EQUALITYTHIS IS JUSTICE

The New Method of Financing 1.Per student per credit financing (All students) 2.Adjustments for students with socio-economic AND/OR Academic Need (Those with these needs only) 3.Performance Bonus (to incentivize performance)

School Services (All) Compensation for Soc.-Eco. OR Acad. Need Compensation for Soc-Eco. AND Acad. Need The New Formula

The Formula The formula that determines the Grant Allocation to Schools (GAS) includes three components (two are developed; the third* is being finalized): SCHOOL SERVICES COMPONENT + COMPENSATION COMPONENT + PERFORMANCE BONUS*

CLOSING THE GAP In funding across schools Between Urban & Rural Between Poor & Non-poor (socio-economic need) Between High achieving & Low achieving (academic need)

The Formula The School Services Component is intended for all students in the school and is calculated as follows: For e.g. for student enrollment of x 40 x $0.94 = $18,800 (per month) Number of Credits Cost per credit Enroll- ment

The Formula The Compensation Component sample calculation: 500 ( ) x 40 x.94 x 1.1 = $17, (per month) Proportion of students with soc. eco. need Proportion of students with acad. need Number of Credits Cost per credit Adjust- ment factor Enroll- ment

The Formula So, the Grant Allocation to this hypothetical school would be: GAS = $18,800 + $17, Performance Bonus* = $36,378 (per month) Compensatio n Component School Services Components

Performance Bonus Component: Towards a Performance Bonus Design Annual Goals 2-3 Year Goals Attainment Success/Transiti on Responsiveness Quality Improvement Student satisfaction Parent Satisfaction Improve CSEC scores Increase % students sitting exams Achieve annual QI plan % Teachers trained Decreased repetition & dropout rates

Implementation Scenarios: Examples how they operate Eg. If above the average, today’s BZ$1,000 transfer will start declining to 950, 900, 850, etc until year 5 If below the average, the BZ$1,000 would grow 50 in year 1, 50 in year 2 and so on until year 5 Eg. If above the average, the BZ$1,000 transfer today will start declining to 950, 900, 850, etc until year 5 If below the average, the targeted budget is adjusted in year 2 and then remains constant, so it moves from today’s BZ$1,000 to BZ$1,200

Proposed scenarios E.g. If above the average, the high school will receive the same BZ$1,000 each year for 5 years in nominal terms. If below the average, same as 1B. Eg. If above the average, same as 2A. If above the average, today’s BZ$1,000 will increase at each year’s inflation year

Business Rules The Business Rules provides specific guidance on the implementation of the Reform. – Phased step up of grants for below average funded schools – Freezing of grants of above average funded schools Indicates how grants are calculated. How repetition/dropout is treated?

Secondary Net Enrolment Early Effects

Secondary Gross Enrolment

Early Effects Secondary Dropout Rates

Other Supporting Factors $300 Secondary Education-Start-Up Subsidy School Infrastructure School Transportation BOOST Conditional Cash Transfer Programme Standardization of School Fees and Providing for Fee Waivers for students with socio-economic need Curriculum Reform: Rationalize and Diversify the Secondary Education Curriculum

NEXT STEPS Performance Bonus Secondary School Fee Reduction, Standardization and Exemptions Payment for CXC/CSEC Examinations