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‘Use It or Be Punished?’ Bishop Martin Students Threatened Over MOE-Issued Chromebooks A well-intentioned Ministry initiative is hitting a wall at Bishop Martin High School (BMHS). The school recently received a second distribution of Chromebooks for students from First to Fourth Form as part of the Skills for the Future Program. According to the Ministry’s October 26 statement, the devices are meant to “promote equitable access to quality education and support Belize’s transition toward a more digitally empowered learning environment.” The Chromebooks become the property of students but are intended solely for educational use. However, some students already own their own laptops, and in some cases, these devices are better suited for students with vision conditions. Parents who raised concerns were reportedly told to consider transferring their children if they refused to comply. In a message to students, Principal Angel Leiva said, “Effective Thursday, November 6, 2025, students are required to bring the Chromebooks they received from the Ministry of Education to school. Other devices are now prohibited.” Reliable sources told News 5 that students have reportedly been threatened with demerits if they do not comply. News 5 contacted Principal Leiva, who confirmed, “It’s a matter that the management and administration are currently addressing along with the Ministry of Education.” Meanwhile, MOE Chief Executive Officer Dian Maheia clarified that the Ministry does not have a policy forcing students to use the Chromebooks. She told News 5 that at BMHS, students who already own devices were asked to return the Ministry-issued Chromebooks so they can be re-issued to students who need them. “In the case of Bishop Martin High School, we have requested that the students who have their own devices return the Ministry-issued Chromebooks immediately so that they can be re-issued to students who need them,” she said. When asked about allegations that the principal had threatened to issue demerits to students who failed to comply, CEO Maheia clarified that “that instruction from him is no longer in effect.”
