Caricom task force addressing quality education

The Fourth meeting of the Caricom Regional Task Force on Teaching and Teacher Education began yesterday in Port-of-Spain with a focus on developing and maintaining standards in teacher education.

According to a release from the Caricom Secretariat, the meeting is being held under the theme “Promoting quality education and schools through teaching and teacher qualification”. Some issues to be addressed at the meeting include the establishment of national councils and a draft template for stakeholder consultations in member states.

Additionally, an assessment of the progress and achievements of the task force to date will also be done and a work plan for 2010-2011 will be finalised, the release stated.

Meanwhile, the main thrust is to create an environment in which teachers can develop professionally and maintain standards within the context of the Caricom Single market. This will be achieved by addressing the core issues such as recruitment and entry qualifications, regulatory standards and the setting-up of regulatory councils within member states.