Baird, Cecilene L.Bernard Van Leer Foundation2022-01-182022-01-181974634https://hdl.handle.net/2139/52735This paper 1) underlines the paucity of educational research in the Caribbean, 2) analyses the educational policies implemented during the pre-independence period, 3) presents proposals for compensatory education, and 4) discusses a general philosophy of preprimary education adapted to the particular needs of the region. As a consequence of behaviour patterns, instructional innovation has led to poor results. In the past, emphasis was on academic skills ensuring a continuity of subservience. There is no equal education. Preschool education should be conceived as an instrument of national development, serving the traditional community needs, and being both preventive--promoting human development and therapeutic--reduction of deficiencies. In this education for readiness, new skills, attitudes, and values should be conveyed. Parent participation has to be enhanced--possible parent education programmes are sketched. The adequate implementation of all these proposals implies the launching of an important educational research programmeEducational research