Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Education Developmet Project: Youth at Risk: Report on Consultancy Mission

Abstract

This report describes the outcomes of a consultancy assignment in the field of Youth at Risk in three countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)—Dominica, St. Kitts-Nevis, and St Lucia. One of the problems faced at the secondary school level in these countries is the underperformance of young people. Related to this is a general lack of interest in school activities, a growing problem of indiscipline, low attendance, and high dropout rates, especially in the upper forms. Visits were paid to schools and programmes in each of the three countries and discussions held with a wide range of stakeholders, including school principals, teachers, students, programme managers, social workers, counsellors, and senior education ministry officials. A series of options for development are presented in the report under five headings: 1) Curriculum development, 2) Teaching and learning strategies, 3) Teacher training and in-service development, 4) learning support services and the learning environment, and 5) Strategic policy.