On
Tuesday, 8th September 2026, the Senate met in the National Assembly Chamber in Belmopan. The Sitting started at
10:23 A.M. with prayers led by Senator Janelle Chanona, followed by announcements by Honourable Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, President of the Senate, who presided over the meeting.
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE OF A NEW SENATORThe Clerk administered the Oath of Allegiance to Senator Khalid Belisle, who was formally sworn in as a Senator during the proceedings. Following the administration of the Oath, the President welcomed Senator Belisle to the Sitting.
BILLS BROUGHT FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFOUR (4) Bills were brought from the House of Representatives and taken charge of by the Leader of Government Business:
- Millennium Challenge Account–Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Education Bill, 2026;
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2026; and
- National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
In accordance with Standing Order 49(1), the Leader of Government Business moved that the Bills be taken through all their stages forthwith. The question was put, and the Senate agreed.
PAPERSFIFTEEN (15) Sessional Papers were laid on the Table by the Leader of Government Business as follows:
- 49/1/15 – Twenty-Fourth Annual Report of the Contractor General for the period 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026;
- 50/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations, 2026;
- 51/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations, 2026;
- 52/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations, 2026;
- 53/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 17) Regulations, 2026;
- 54/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 18) Regulations, 2026;
- 55/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 19) Regulations, 2026;
- 56/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 20) Regulations, 2026;
- 57/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 21) Regulations, 2026;
- 58/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 22) Regulations, 2026;
- 59/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 23) Regulations, 2026;
- 60/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 24) Regulations, 2026;
- 61/1/15 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 25) Regulations, 2026;
- 62/1/15 – Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Limited and Exclusive Concessions) Regulations, 2026; and
- 63/1/15 – Final Report of the People’s Constitution Commission, dated 16th May 2025.
The Papers were ordered to lie on the Table.
MOTION RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE SENATEThe Leader of Government Business moved a motion that, at its rising, the Senate adjourn to a date to be fixed by the President. The question was put, and the motion was approved.
BILLS FOR SECOND READINGFOUR (4) Bills were read a second time:
Millennium Challenge Account–Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026This Bill seeks to amend the Millennium Challenge Account–Belize Authority Act, Act No. 16 of 2024; to ratify the Millennium Challenge Compact and the Program Implementation Agreement entered into between the United States of America and Belize; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.The Bill was read a second time.
Education Bill, 2026This Bill seeks to repeal the Education and Training Act and reform the basic education system of government schools and selected government-aided schools. It aims to make basic education free, accessible, compulsory, relevant, inclusive and rights-based.The Bill also provides for improved school governance, the regulation of educational services, enhanced teacher licensing and certification requirements, and the establishment of a national student assessment system to support transparent, accountable and evidence-based decision-making.Following the debate, the Bill was read a second time.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2026This Bill seeks to introduce new and improved provisions for the development and regulation of Belize’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector.Among its provisions are the establishment of an autonomous National Training Authority; standards for the registration and accreditation of TVET providers, assessment centres and programmes; the certification of trainers, assessors and verifiers; the development of a qualifications framework and curricula; the establishment of Sector Skills Councils; and the creation of a fund for the sustainable financing of TVET programmes.Following the debate, the Bill was read a second time.
National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026This Bill seeks to amend the National Honours and Awards Act to introduce new national honours and awards recognising Belizeans for bravery, courage and patriotism.Following the debate, the Bill was read a second time.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SENATE ON BILLSFollowing the debates and second readings, the Senate resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole Senate, in accordance with Standing Order 54. The President took the Chair as Chairperson of the Committee to consider the following Bills clause by clause:
- Millennium Challenge Account–Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Education Bill, 2026;
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2026; and
- National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
REPORTING AND THIRD READING OF BILLSFollowing the reporting from the Committee of the Whole Senate, FOUR (4) Bills were read a third time and passed by the Senate:
- Millennium Challenge Account–Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026, without amendment;
- Education Bill, 2026, without amendment;
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2026, without amendment; and
- National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026, without amendment.
ADJOURNMENTThe Senate adjourned at
4:54 P.M to a date to be fixed by the President.
STAY ENGAGEDMembers of the public are encouraged to follow parliamentary proceedings and access Bills, motions, committee reports, sessional papers and Hansards through the National Assembly’s official platforms.
