The education systems in Caribbean nations have faced several challenges. They have historically provided broad primary and secondary education but limited high school opportunities. There is also a problem of "duality" where quality is uneven. Recent issues include hundreds of qualified teachers emigrating and an outdated curriculum not preparing students for current job needs. Caribbean countries are working to implement reforms through collective efforts and national initiatives to improve their education systems for the future.

1. EDUCATIONEDUCATION
SYSTEMS INSYSTEMS IN
CARIBBEANCARIBBEAN
NATIONSNATIONS
Mariah CameronMariah Cameron
Ozanam ScholarOzanam Scholar
Class of 2017Class of 2017

2. • The education system in Jamaica is in crisis. The fact is thatThe education system in Jamaica is in crisis. The fact is that
it has always been, but some recent developments haveit has always been, but some recent developments have
increased concerns about its future. The problems rangeincreased concerns about its future. The problems range
from poor discipline, to poor performances at thefrom poor discipline, to poor performances at the
examinations level, to the recently announced emigrationexaminations level, to the recently announced emigration
of hundreds of qualified teachers to schools in Northof hundreds of qualified teachers to schools in North
America and Europe.America and Europe.
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

3. • Broad-based primary and secondary
education with very limited provision for
High School education
• The migration of young people in search of
tertiary education abroad.
• External examinations and internationally
accepted credentials being non-negotiable
outcomes of education.
HISTORYHISTORY

4. • Duality in provision and access. While the
provision has always been broad, its quality
has not been evenly distributed.
• The strong involvement of the church in the
provision of public education
HISTORYHISTORY
(CONT.)(CONT.)

5. • Say Brother is WGBH's longest running public
affairs television program by, for and about
African Americans, and is now known as Basic
Black. This is a program focusing on the
political, cultural, educational, religious, and
economic aspects of the Caribbean Islands.
• http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/sbro-
mla001006-development-of-education-systems-
in-the-caribbean
PROBLEMPROBLEM

6. • 80% and climbing, of current jobs and those in
the long foreseeable future, will require
advanced technical education and skills.
• Caribbean countries must move away from the
old system, syllabus-based curriculum that
prepares students to matriculate to institutions
and to graduate with general degrees to nowhere
or back home to sit down waiting for the end of
time.
PROBLEMPROBLEM

7. • One fine issue is the matter of streaming, or the
act of grouping students in streams according to
various criteria. Students are sorted into
categories, according to the student's knowledge
of aspects of the competitive curriculum -
knowledge that reflects the existing social
structure and social and economic opportunities.
• Once the students are categorized and streamed,
they are likely to remain in that stream for the
major part of their school career.
PROBLEMPROBLEM

8. Educational reform has become a major item of public
policy across the globe. Prompted by the prospects of the
new millennium parents, policy-makers have searched
for answers and new approaches Many Caribbean
countries decided to reform their education systems
through a collective effort.
IMPLEMENTEDIMPLEMENTED
SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS

9. • Resulted in the Foundation for the Future—
the OECS Education Reform Strategy of 1991.
• Belize started a project with the World Bank,
which includes revamping the system.
• Bahamas, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago
established Task Forces or Commissions that
are discussing major reforms of the existing
systems.
IMPLEMENTEDIMPLEMENTED
SOLUTIONS (CONT.)SOLUTIONS (CONT.)

10. • Guyana and Jamaica have both been
implementing reforms in an attempt to cope
with the fall-out from structural adjustment.
• Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman
Islands have also instituted programs of
reform.
IMPLEMENTEDIMPLEMENTED
SOLUTIONS (CONT.)SOLUTIONS (CONT.)

11. • Change the GSAT from being a primarily
placement exam to being an effective preparation
for high school education. The literacy transition
policy is key in achieving this objective.
• Must reduce the number of subjects being exposed
to students at any one time
• Improve examination system. They must be
revised and made fit for purpose.
WHAT MORE CANWHAT MORE CAN
BE DONE?BE DONE?

12. • Come to a consensus on the curriculum and
assessment system.
• Graduates that have the right mix of
knowledge, skills and attitude.
• Must produce more creative graduates (male
and female) that can compete effectively in
the global economy.
WHAT MORE CANWHAT MORE CAN
BE DONE?BE DONE?

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education-systems-in-the-caribbeaneducation-systems-in-the-caribbean
• Miller, Errol. "COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN EDUCATION IN THEMiller, Errol. "COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN EDUCATION IN THE
GLOBAL CONTEXT." miller_Introduction. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2014.GLOBAL CONTEXT." miller_Introduction. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2014.
<http://www.educoas.org/Portal/bdigital/contenido/interamer/BkIAC<http://www.educoas.org/Portal/bdigital/contenido/interamer/BkIAC
D/Interamer/Interamerhtml/Millerhtml/mil_intro.htm>.D/Interamer/Interamerhtml/Millerhtml/mil_intro.htm>.
• Ried, Ruel. "Change the Caribbean education system to TVET focused -Ried, Ruel. "Change the Caribbean education system to TVET focused -
Part 1." Jamaica Gleaner News RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2014.Part 1." Jamaica Gleaner News RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2014.
<http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120314/news/news1.html>.<http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120314/news/news1.html>.
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