Discussions Open on Second Basic Education Draft Plan

Details

Education

Tuesday, 24 July 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John's - Consultations have begun on the 2nd Basic Education Plan for Antigua & Barbuda as the country moves forward with efforts to amplify the quality of education provided and the facilities through which the learning process is delivered.

The talks, at the Multi Purpose Center in Perry Bay, involve senior directors and sub-sector leaders of the Ministry of Education, Sports, Youth, and Gender Affairs, selected stakeholders including private sector organizations who participated in previous consultations, along with members of the Board of Education and other officers who are considered critical to the decision making process.

The plan under discussion was born through a 2008 Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) grant and is being developed through a UWI Consulting Inc. Profiles Antigua Inc. Consortium.

According to Jesse George, Education Planner  Projects and Project Coordinator, Monday’s consultation was aimed specifically at discussing a school location (mapping) plan report, a school facilities inventory report, and of probably greater significance is the Education Sector Plan 2013-2018.

Director of Education Mrs. Jacinta Pringle cited the mantra “Education is Everybody’s Business,” as she addressed those in attendance.

She revealed that through the plan, the government intends to construct a new secondary school in Antigua while expanding on the one in Barbuda and developing a model early childhood educational center for both islands. The developments will be made in collaboration with the CDB.

“What is envisioned for Antigua & Barbuda’s educational future involves all, from principals to parents,” Pringle said. “The Ministry of Education recognizes that there is much work to be done if Antigua & Barbuda were to produce model citizens able to make meaningful contributions to this country, the rest of the Caribbean and the world.”

CDB Portfolio Manager, Social Sector – Diedre Clarendon, said she was indeed pleased to represent the bank in a program designed to further develop education in Antigua & Barbuda. She said the education sector in the country must continue to be the focus of human capital investment and diverse curriculums.

“The CDB has had long relations with Antigua & Barbuda in developing its education sector. We hope that these consultations will be a turning point for the delivery of the expected outcomes of the education plan,” Clarendon said.

She added that quality input from stakeholders like those in attendance would undoubtedly lead to quality outcomes as she called for frank and free discussions on the matter at hand.

“The CDB will continue to be a partner in developing Antigua & Barbuda’s education sector,” Clarendon said.

In the meantime, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Education Ms. Valerie Mussington reiterated Clarendon’s calls for frank discussions as she underlined the ministry’s pleasure in having all in attendance.

Molwyn Takes up Cell Tower Issue Antigua St. John's - Senior Member of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) and Member of Parliament in St. Mary's North Molwyn Joseph has taken up the proli... read more

“We at the ministry realize that we do not do it by ourselves,” she said as she encouraged “critical ideas” to the draft plan that will result in a document that will ultimately “shape the way education goes forward in Antigua” for the next five years.

• < Prev
• Next >