Intensive training course on school mapping and microplanning: Report

Abstract

The school map is a set of techniques and procedures that are used to plan future educational requirements at the local level. It starts from a very detailed analysis of the coverage of the educational system and of the teaching/learning conditions in each region or parish, before making proposals for reorganizing the school network and the educational service in future years. It aims at equalizing educational opportunities and teaching conditions for pupils from different geographical zones and allows the rationalization of human, material, and financial resources. It requires the direct involvement of regional education officers and implies some participation of the various parties involved (school boards, teachers, parents, etc.). The report of this course presents the process of preparation and organization of the course as well as the teaching materials that were produced and distributed. It was attended by Jamaican education officers and representatives of the Ministries of Education of 10 other Caribbean countries. A pilot case study was prepared on the St. Thomas region and a methodology specifically adapted to the Jamaican situation was developed. The exercises that were prepared in relation to the case study are included in the report, as well as the lecture outlines