gnorance sbould not be permitted to perpetuate itsel; that f through

ignorance the negroes of the present generation are insensible to the blessings of
education, they are not therefore to refuse them to theirof prng.

The official view regarding the purpose of education for the

black masses of the British West Indies and Belize was clearly that
character training was all-important and that this was to be achieved

through indoctrination in Christian religion and morality. Another

facet of the official perspective was that the children of the working
class of the British colonies in the Caribbean region must acquire
agricultural and industrial skills. Consequently, the colonial rulers
should ensure that such instruction is provided in the schools.

The perspective of religious and moral training was shared by

the governing authorities of Belize. As elsewhere in the British
West Indies, a well-disciplined labour force was necessary for the
sustenance of the mahogany industry. Consequently, the
educational goal of religious and moral training became a strong
element in the educational system here. However, the exhortation
to establish industrial and agricultural education was not made
operational although provision was made for such a curriculum in
Belize's educational laws. It was not until well into the twentieth
century that interest commenced to be shown regard1ng agricultural
and technical/vocational education.

External Control

The Colonial Office in England operated under the Secretary

of State for the Colonies who was responsible for (among other
duties) directing education in the colonies. By means of dispatches
between the Governors of the colonies and the Colonial Office
educational policies, administrative procedures and laws relating to
education were formulated through a process of reporting and
consultation. Consequently, the establishment of the church-state
system of educational control and administration in Belize was not
an accident nor was it unique to Belize. Rather, it was part of the
British policy to place education in the hands of the churches.

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