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Running Head: Culture and Lifelong Learning

University of Belize

Faculty of Education and Arts

EDLD 5051 Future of Education

Lecturer: Dr. June Young

Assignment Title: Culture as a Lifelong Learning Challenge

Submitted by Jacklyn Burns

Date: March 28th 2020

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Running Head: Culture and Lifelong Learning

Education in Belize was a part of the enslavement of the indigenous people who resided

in this part of the world when the Europeans got here. Later, education was used as a tool to

colonialize the people (Bennet, 2008). Lifelong learning is “the pursuit of knowledge for

personal or professional reasons.” One factor that affects life-long learning is culture. Education

in Belize has dictated that in order for one to have an education, that individual must have

attended formal schooling at least up to secondary school. This is what is traditionally expected.

In fact, it is mandated by the education laws “Education in Belize is compulsory between the

ages of 6 and 14 years for primary education,” (Belize Education Act, 2000). However, in some

cultures, children below the age of fourteen work on their parents “milpas” to earn their

livelihood. Many of the more traditional people living in remote areas do not see the need for

education nor do they have the financing for it.

“Lifelong learning would mean changing the culture in many homes and workplaces

where learning is not seen as having any relevance. . . . We cannot force anyone to learn -

individuals must take that responsibility themselves - but we can help those who want to develop

a thirst for knowledge. Together we can create a culture of self improvement and a love of

learning where if people want to get on, their first instinct is to improve their skills and

education,” (Field, 2009).

Culturally, Belize is a melting pot comprised of Mestizos, Mayas, Garifuna, Creole,

Mennonites and many other cultural backgrounds. Each cultural group hold their own

philosophies in terms of what they practiced years ago. Traditionally, the Mayas were farmers,

the Garifuna were fishermen and the Mennonites were farmers. Yet, with the evolution of

education and the development and accessibility of educational institutions in some of the more

remote areas of the country there has been a gradual buy-in to the education ideology. Just about
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Running Head: Culture and Lifelong Learning

every culture now subscribe to school and its benefits. All cultures make an effort to educate

their children for them to have better employment opportunities. So, how does culture affect life-

long learning?

Culture becomes a factor for lifelong learning because the traditional identities and

expectations are still ever present as well as a family’s priorities may not be aligned with

educational expectations. Religion, for instance is a large part of culture. Imagine then, that a

child comes from an Adventist background and is at tertiary level studies where a specific class

that he/she needs is only offered on Saturday. Does that individual sacrifice taking that class to

respect religious expectation? The Masters in Educational Leadership program (UB Imprint,

2019) we are currently enrolled in provides an opportunity for life-long learning for us but, a

perspective student may not be able to appreciate the opportunity for this very reason. Is that fair

to the individual?

Culture also becomes a factor as a result of language. Every Belizean student learns

English as a second language. Therefore, in their homes, they speak another language. It means

then that there is an additional challenge because people think in their first language and usually

mentally translate meaning to the language of instruction, in our case English. This complicates

life-long learning since a Belizean student needs to learn to read, write and speak in English. “I

know that English is the official language. However I do also know that "No Engles" is a

common phrase,” (Mohave, 2007). All education material comes in English and in the formal

classrooms a plethora of languages are being translates therefore this complicates understanding

and leaves room for misinterpretation or difficulties in communication.

Education also results in changed behavior. Being educated very often dilutes culture

and reprograms learned individuals. “The promotion of lifelong learning [might] involve
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Running Head: Culture and Lifelong Learning

government in developing a range of partnerships with intermediary agencies, in order to change

the behavior of citizens themselves” (Field, 2009). The influence of education on culture

certainly presents challenges in keeping the authenticity of one’s culture when another way of

life is proposed. Lifelong learning therefore might take away cultural practices, cultural dress,

cultural ways of cooking and socializing. What balance is there then between life-long learning

and maintaining cultural norms? We see it daily in Belize where the way we traditionally did

something is influenced by what schools have taught.

“Lifelong Learning, itself is called for a process of cultural revolution,” (Field, 2009).

Truly it is. The concern now is what our cultural identities and practices will evolve into, while

we learn a new way of life. Even if this new way of life is more economically viable, easier and

make much sense, is it worth loosing what was and a make-over in the Belizean identity. Let us

perceive for a minute, a simple Belize where everyone farmed their food and ate off the land.

The food that was consumed was healthier. Now, we have assimilated and we go to the stores to

purchase canned items that are less flavorful because it is easier. We do not keep laying hens for

eggs anymore. We purchase eggs on crates from the store. Yes, we have learnt a new way of

life, an easier way but, have we sacrificed our Belizean identity and authenticity in the process?
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Running Head: Culture and Lifelong Learning

Reference

Bennet, J. A. (2008). Education in Belize: A historical perspective. The Angelus Press Limited.

Belize.

Field, J. (2009). Lifelong learning and cultural change: A European perspective 1. 10.1007/978-

3-531-91520-3_2.

Mohave, S. (2007). Teaching English as a second language.AmbergrisCaye.com.

University of Belize. (2019). UB launches second master’s program – Master’s in educational

leadership. UB Imprint. Vol 48. Retrieved from: https://www.ub.edu.bz/download/ub-

imprint-vol-48-ub-launches-second-masters-program-masters-in-educational-leadership/

March 28, 2020.