Primary and Secondary education is free. Government runs some of the schools but most schools are run by the churches. The Government maintains one special school for mentally disabled children and another for children with physical disabilities. The CET has also opened a branch in San Ignacio, Cayo District. Training is based on employment trends, as well as on the nature of changes in the labour market.
Specialized training is available at other institutions.
The Belize Technical College offers craft and technical courses, the Belize Teachers College runs a two-year diploma course leading to trained teacher status. Advanced training is provided to Belizeans in the professional and technical fields at Belize's first university, the University College of Belize, which opened in 1986. This institution's work includes organising adult education classes and lectures. In addition, it offers courses in social anthropology, constitutional law and conversational Spanish and Garifuna. The SCE encourages creative arts and sponsors an annual festival of dance, music and drama.