The Background
The name of the Kaina Online High School of Belize Limited was inspired by the founder’s mother, whose siblings called her Kaina, which is a term of endearment.
The idea of the Kaina Online High School grew out of the constant reports on the current situation of education in Belize, the experience of the founders of the institution and a survey. An increasing number of individuals in Belize, the Caribbean and the world, who for various reasons, are incapable of enrolling into an on-campus program and are unable to complete secondary school studies. Consequently, the majority of these persons have been denied entry into tertiary level institutions, certificate programs or are, in other ways limited, especially in relation to career options. Distance and online learning, via the internet, is a practical, efficient and cost-effective means of addressing this growing problem and meeting the educational needs of individuals. Through this medium, individuals who are victims of such dire situations now have equal access to an educational opportunity at the high school level. This program has attracted a global audience. Furthermore, this medium enables students from any social, cultural, economic and experiential backgrounds to interact with and learn from each other, thereby enhancing the learning experience.
Historical Background
With the cooperation of personnel from the Ministry of Education, the founders became trailblazers by requesting license to establish an online high school. The Cayo District Education Council, under the leadership of Dr. Alberto August the Chairperson at that time and the Cayo District Education Centre Manager, Mr. Luis Carballo, saw the need for such a great opportunity for Belizeans. On November 14, 2013 the founders presented their ideas to the council.
Having been granted license from the Ministry of Education to operate, the portals of the Kaina Online High School were opened on March 14, 2014 to some forty- five students. They were students registered in first to fourth form, of ages varying from 14 to 35 or older, employed, self -employed, and not yet employed, and from various parts of the country.
COVID-19 Pandemic
‘Soul-crushing milestone’ is Lester Holt’s (May 04, 2022) way of describing the fact that the US. has surpassed a million COVID deaths. Similarly, COVID has been responsible for the loss of the lives of people in Belize and in countries across the world.
The Kaina Online High School of Belize Limited still has not been fazed by the onslaught of COVID-19. Even as we hope that Belize will continue to witness less COVID cases, Kaina Online High School of Belize Limited marches along, without interruption. Our academic year is in progress and consequent academic years will begin in January and August of each year.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible for the following and will remain this way, as long as the pandemic continues to be a threat to life:
- Online Final Examinations during the last 7 days of Semester Two.
- To avoid physical contact and for health purposes there will be no Commencement Exercises. Once Form Four students have met graduation requirements, and have paid arrears/ fees they will receive their diplomas through rapid mail service or domestic speed mail.
Students who are willing and prepared to accept the challenge can be enrolled in a progamme in which they can earn a high school diploma in 2 calendar years. With the site reliably operating during the semesters, students can login to Kaina Online without fear, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.