Improving mathematics results and creating regional systems for recognising short, skills-based qualifications were among the issues discussed when Caribbean education ministers and senior officials met in Georgetown this week.
The Ministry of Education yesterday said that the two-day 52nd Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD)-Education was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Wednesday and yesterday.
Education Minister Sonia Parag assumed the chairmanship of the regional body at the meeting, which was held under the theme, “Educating for Life, Purpose, and Caribbean Progress.”
According to the ministry, education ministers, senior officials, regional institutions and development partners participated in the discussions.
Among the proposals considered was a regional sub-framework for micro-credentials. These are shorter qualifications intended to certify specific skills or areas of learning.
Parag said micro-credentials could support lifelong learning and allow persons to retrain or upgrade their skills. A common regional framework, she added, would help ensure that the qualifications are quality-assured, recognised and transferable across CARICOM.
The meeting also examined a proposed regional apprenticeship framework intended to increase opportunities for practical, workplace-based training and strengthen the connection between education and employment.
In her opening remarks, Parag said education should extend beyond preparing students for examinations and should help learners to think critically, adapt to change and make meaningful contributions to society.
“We must be able to create wholesome, well-rounded Caribbean citizens,” she said.
The Caribbean Development Bank presented a proposed Mathematics Enhancement Programme for primary and secondary schools which was developed in partnership with the University of the West Indies.
According to the ministry, the programme proposes a system-wide approach to improving mathematics performance throughout the region.
Parag welcomed the initiative and cited what she described as the positive effect of Guyana’s mathematics intervention programme on national results.
She said a strong foundation in mathematics was important for success in science, technology, technical training, financial literacy and the modern workplace.
The minister also underscored the role of teachers in securing sustained improvements in education, saying no education system could rise above the quality of its teachers.
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