In conjunction with SARC LITERACY INTERVENTION, GARIU Director, Dr Enita Barrett along with Vice Principal Moneek Magdaleno, participated in a meeting held by the Battle of the Drums Secretariat in Peini Punta Gorda, Belize on 23 October 2024. The all-day event was to discuss the roll out of the Garifuna in schools’ program. The curriculum was explained and participants were given opportunities to ask question and offer suggestions. Also present was Mr. Marion Nolberto, MOE Education Officer who discussed the training calendar of events for participating schools.
These training sessions are aligned with the Belize Ministry of Education calendar TLI standards. He also discussed insights into output expectations for teachers. Other decisions made included introducing a primary school battle if the drums which will be held for the first time this year, revision of the question list for the translation competition based on feedback from schools after last year’s event and cost of entry to all events. A system for selecting judges was also put in place. It was a productive meeting which equipped school administrators with pertinent information on how to successfully support their teachers for a Seamless integration of the Garifuna curriculum into the standard curriculum. Most importantly three members of the se retaliate were assigned to schools to provide the technical support that will be needed.
