Green Paper on Education Development and Policy unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Condor in National Assembly
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| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Hon. Sam Condor with students of the Verchilds High School last September when the Cabinet visited as part of the programme of activities to mark the 24th Anniversary of Independence. (Photo by Erasmus Williams) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 8TH 2007 (CUOPM) – The people of St. Kitts and Nevis has been presented with a Green Paper on Education Development and Policy.
In laying the document in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Hon. Sam Condor said it provides an outline of the major programmes and initiatives that have been introduced by the Ministry of Education over the last three years, and the projections and targets for these programmes.
“It also advances new programmes, initiatives, targets and related policies, to be pursued by the Ministry of Education for the next five to ten years,”
he told the lawmaking body.
Mr. Condor said that the recommendations and proposals cover all levels of the Education System, from Early Childhood to Tertiary Level, and the related Program Areas.
He noted that the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party which he has the honour and privilege to represent has understood from its inception, that if there is any “good it can do,” an educated population was going to be key.
“Madame Speaker, we recognize in the Ministry of Education that we must be responsive, not only in implementing policy measures, but by constantly reviewing programmes and polices and actively undertaking the necessary reforms, to meet the challenges that we face in our Nation today, particularly those challenges that relate to youth development, and to improved social and economic development,” said Minister Condor.
~~Adz:Right~~ He added that it is for these reasons and more, why the Ministry, following wide and in-depth discussions and analysis, has decided on this measure, to deliver a quality direction, rich in information, which the Nation has a right to expect of the Education System.
Noting that the presentation of the Green Paper coincided with the Third Anniversary of his appointment as Education Minister, following the October
2004 General Election, Deputy Prime Minister Condor said it was no coincidence that the largest section of the document has been devoted to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) “because we see TVET as the main catalyst for promoting change in the behaviour, attitudes and thus achievements, particularly among our male students.”
“This will all be supported by effective counselling programmes, as well as improved learning support and exciting and innovative teaching methodologies, with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) playing a major role,” he stated.
He said it must be recognised, however, that in order to effectively address and arrest some of the underachievement and attitudinal problems evident among some of the youth, drastic changes in the way business is done will be required.
“For example, one section of this Green Paper includes a proposal to transform the school system, change school hours and introduce an organized national after-school programme for our youth, in partnership with other government stakeholder departments, such as Departments of Youth, Social Development, Sports, Culture and National Security, community interest groups and parents. We plan to first introduce this, as a pilot programme, involving a few schools,” disclosed Deputy Prime Minister Condor.
The Green Paper is being presented as a catalyst for discussion and debate, with the hope that the Education System, when reformed, will be seen as one that would lend to the overall further development of the people and the Federation.
“It is our intention to shortly distribute the Green Paper to all stakeholder groups in St. Kitts and Nevis, and to our Regional and International partners, such as, UNICEF, UNESCO, OAS, the OECS Education Reform Unit (OERU), CARICOM, and the University of the West Indies,” said Mr. Condor.
~~Adz:Left~~ He expressed sincere appreciation to all those individuals and groups who, over the past three years, have contributed positively, to the innovations and new programmes that are being introduced by the Ministry of Education.
“We thank one and all for the support either through submissions of short position papers or by input in discussions during meetings. All contributions inclusive of best practices regionally, have served to inform the developments and policies that have been included in the document. We look forward to feedback on the Green Paper from all stakeholder groups,” he told the National Assembly.
He said that as a St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government, coming to terms with new and emerging challenges of development, “we continue to see the human resource as pivotal, and will continue to use all means available to prepare and develop this essential resource.”
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education said that it is expected that by March 2008, after reviewing and evaluating the high level of feedback that is anticipated, and making appropriate changes to the document, the Green Paper will be transformed into a White Paper on Education Development and policy.
