Caricom Heads of Government have mandated the establishment of a Commission on Human Resource Development to shape a ‘Regional Education and Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy.’
Education and human resource development featured prominently on the agenda of the 25th intersessional meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday and Tuesday
In the communiqué issued yesterday following the conclusion of the two-day summit, the Heads reported that they had completed a 20-odd agenda and had agreed on implementing several policies and strategies to ensure the future socio-economic and political development of the region.
The Heads received a presentation which highlighted the need to focus on human resource development across all ages and within all sectors, including the public sector and gave specific focus to the formal education system.
They considered the current state of education in the region and acknowledged the significant gains which had been made over the past decades. They nevertheless lamented the inherent inefficiencies and wastage in education and training systems.
The Heads of Government noted the less than optimum outcomes for students at all levels, matched against the requirements of 21st century societies and economies. They endorsed the need for a holistic approach to transformation of education which would make more efficient use of national and regional resources, including Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), to develop and implement solutions to the challenges outlined.
They also recognised the lack of capacity in the region to deal effectively with students with special needs, and identified this as an area for focused attention. They noted the importance of research and teacher training, the sharing of best practices and technical and professional resources.
The strategy would form the basis for joint action by member states and relevant institutions and create a framework for the Caricom Education Agenda. The commission is expected to collaborate with Education ministries and other portfolios, with key civil society actors, in particular labour and the private sector, on perspectives and key proposed actions with regard to the strategy, the communiqué said.
