Review of the education sector and the first five year development plan for education
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Date
1991
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Cambridge Education Consultants
Abstract
The Review Team consulted widely with staff of the schools, the Department of Education (DOE) and Ministry of Education (MOE), community leaders, members of the business community, and parents in arriving at its findings, which can be summarized under four main headings: Management, Primary Schools, the Secondary School, and Post 16+ Provision. With respect to Management, it was concluded that while staffing was adequate within the DOE and MOE, a more goal-oriented and interventionist approach with respect to the schools in the system was needed if the necessary changes were to be made. Primary head teachers needed to become more actively involved with management of the curriculum and their staff, for which they required formal training. Management training was also lacking amongst heads of department at the secondary school. With respect to Primary Schools, it was concluded that disappointing progress had been made since the last review (1988) on both the replacement of untrained teachers (24 untrained teachers out of 60 classroom teachers) and in properly resourcing primary schools. The curriculum was narrow, and standards of attainment in the two basic areas of language and mathematics was unsatisfactory. With respect to the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, change was underway with respect to additional accommodation, changes to the management structure, curriculum development in the prevocational courses, and the formation of a Learning Support Department. However, attainment at CXC was worryingly low and too many students repeated classes. With respect to Post 16+ Provision, it was concluded that the small A Level provision should be continued, and measures taken to increase enrolment. The lack of on-island vocational/technical training was keenly felt by business. In addition, adult education opportunities on the island were very limited, and needed to be widened. Based on the analysis, a five-year plan for education was formulated. The plan attempted to tackle three sets of goals: 1) increasing the quantity of graduates from the system with qualifications and skills; 2) enhancing the appropriateness of the curriculum on offer; and 3) improving the quality of all aspects of education, through a series of four programmes: Management Improvement, Infrastructure Development, Teacher Development, and Curriculum Development