The Future of Education in the Caribbean: Report of the CARICOM Advisory Task Force on Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Regional Policy on Education was approved by the Standing Committee of Ministers with responsibility for Education (SCME) in a special meeting held on September 9, 1993. The policy constitutes a major regional effort to build a strong and dynamic community. An overall theme of the policy is regionalism as an ideal, as a resource, and as a style of operation. This document summarizes policy issues and concerns and identifies policy goals and actions required for various levels of the education system. Section 1 provides an introduction and overview of the work of the Advisory Task Force on Education. Sections 2 through 6 are organized similarly. Each includes sections that describe issues and concerns, future directions, policy goals, and action plans. Section 2 presents objectives for different educational levels, including early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary, and higher education. The third section highlights the curriculum-reform agenda for the following areas: culture, sports, and the arts; special-needs education; language learning; mathematics and science education; educational technology; work-force preparation; and adult education. Plans for improving teacher education, school administration and management, and educational finance are outlined in sections 4 through 6. The recommendations of the task force would require action at regional, sub-regional, and national levels. Appendices contain lists of task-force members, background papers and reports, and consultations and meetings. (LMI)