According to andyeducation, Belize is a small country located in Central America, bordered by Guatemala and Mexico. It has a population of just over 400,000 people and is the only English-speaking nation in the region. The education system in Belize is based on the British model and provides both primary and secondary level schooling. At the primary level, students attend school from age 4 to age 12 and receive instruction in core subjects such as mathematics, science, language arts, social studies and physical education. Secondary school students are divided into three stages: lower secondary (ages 13 to 15), upper secondary (ages 16 to 17) and post-secondary (ages 18 to 19). At all levels of schooling, Belizean students must take exams that are set by the Ministry of Education as part of their assessment. At the end of each stage of schooling, students are awarded certificates or diplomas depending on their performance. In addition to formal schooling, there are also various informal education options available for Belizeans such as adult literacy classes which focus on teaching basic reading, writing and numeracy skills. The government of Belize places great emphasis on providing equitable educational opportunities for all citizens regardless of their socio-economic background or ability level by offering free tuition at all levels from pre-school through tertiary education as well as scholarships for those who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. Furthermore, there are also a range of specialised programmes available such as adult learning programmes which provide additional skills training for adults who did not have access to formal education when they were younger or those who wish to update their knowledge base due to advances in technology or changing job markets. In conclusion it can be seen that Belize has an effective educational system which strives towards providing quality learning opportunities across all levels while also offering additional support services aimed at helping individuals reach their full potential regardless of their socio-economic status or ability level. See educationvv for Belize educational systems.