Educational Challenges in Central America and the Caribbean: Results Report, June 2020

Abstract

This report analyses the educational challenges facing the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean that are partners in the Global Partnership for Education: Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. It has the dual objective of a) informing the KIX Regional Call of the International Development Research Center (IDRC) and b) contributing to the baseline diagnosis for the work of the KIX in LAC in the coming years, through the identification and definition of the education policy agenda, and the subsequent mobilization of knowledge and innovations. To this end, between April and June 2020, documents and databases provided by countries and international organizations were analyzed, and key informant interviews and a focus group were conducted in the context of the launch of the KIX LAC Hub. Although each of these countries has its own particular educational agenda (some of which are detailed in due course), it is possible to identify the following common challenges: 1. Adapt the education system to the new demands imposed by the COVID-19 context; 2. Increase access, coverage and retention in the school system; 3. Improve the quality of education and the learning outcomes of students; 4. Innovate in mechanisms to focus education spending on vulnerable and excluded students; 5. Strengthen teacher professional development; 6. Improve education for rural people; 7. Reduce gender disparities, and address sexual and gender identity diversity; 8. Strengthen the public education system; and 9. Moving towards an inclusive intercultural education.