Research Proposal Impact Of Poverty On Primary School Education In Belize

Abstract

This study examines the impact of poverty on primary school education in Belize, with particular attention to how socioeconomic disadvantage shapes students’ academic performance, attendance, and overall educational development. Drawing on interviews with education officials and survey data collected from primary schools across urban and rural Belize District, the research identifies key indicators of poverty—including lack of food, inadequate school materials, poor health, and irregular attendance—that significantly hinder children’s ability to learn. The findings reveal that children living in poverty face emotional, social, and financial challenges that contribute to lower academic achievement, increased absenteeism, and higher dropout rates. The study highlights the critical role of education as a pathway out of poverty while showing how poverty simultaneously obstructs access to quality education. It concludes that targeted support systems, strengthened parental involvement, and improved school-based interventions are necessary to mitigate these barriers and promote equitable educational opportunities for all Belizean children.