Aquatic Tourism Vocational P.E.

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Across Belize only 40% of secondary-school-age youth attend secondary school. School is not free at any level. On the island of Caye Caulker even fewer students advanced because there was no high school until Ocean Academy opened in 2008. Twelve-year-olds would become unskilled labourers, and some would turn to mischief.

Caye Caulker has no sports complex and few organized teams to keep youth off the streets. A site-based program called Aquatic Tourism Vocational P.E. (physical education) is one of several programs Ocean Academy has created to attract youth to enrol, graduate, and enter Jr. College or the workforce with skills relevant to the island economy. Aquatic tourism sports offer the highest-paid employment on Caye Caulker, and tourists pay top dollar.

Many locals however cannot afford the certifications. Through partnerships with volunteer tour guides and operators, Ocean Academy students pay no fees to be trained in scuba diving, kayaking, fly fishing, windsurfing and kite boarding. Apprenticeships lead to employment offers after graduation. Ocean Academy has created two small businesses in which students guide tourists by kayak, or bike, and profits are credited to school tuition, thus further encouraging retention to graduation. Related electives include marine biology, tour guiding, leadership and entrepreneurship.