MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SEEKS TO ADDRESS EVOLVING WORKFORCE DEMAND THROUGH IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, July 10, 2018 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in St. Kitts and Nevis returned to the St. Kitts Marriott Resort today (July 10) for another round of discussions geared towards identifying actionable solutions to stimulate economic growth and development in the country – this time with a focus on human capital development.

This is being done at the Growth and Resilience Forum organized by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. This year, the forum was divided into four half-day working sessions on June 21 and 22, as well as on July 10 and 11.Today’s session featured a presentation by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, the Honourable Shawn Richards, who outlined the steps being taken by his ministry to address the ever-changing demands in today’s workforce.

This approach, according to Deputy Prime Minister Richards, is being led by the ministry’s Education Sector Plan 2017-2021.

The Education Sector Plan builds on the White Paper on Education Development and Policy 2009-2019 in order to provide a strategic roadmap for improvement in the provision and administration of education over a five-year period.

“Through the Education Sector Plan and other significant investments in education like the TVET Enhancement Project, the National Qualification Framework, curriculum reform and student support services…the Ministry of Education will be better able to keep step with constantly evolving workforce demand and societal needs,” said Minister Richards.

The major goals of the Education Sector Plan are to improve learning outcomes by strengthening the quality and relevance of education at all levels; and enhancing governance, planning and management to improve efficiency and effectiveness throughout the sector.

Following other presentations by the Director of Information Technology, Ms. Amicia Mussenden and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Vincent Hodge, the participants convened a panel discussion surrounding the topic, “Human Capital Development – Issues and Opportunities for Stimulating Sustainable Growth and Development.”

It is expected that the outcomes of the Growth and Resilience Forum will help inform and guide the preparation for the 2019 Budget.

Photo: Section of the participants at Tuesday’s Growth and Resilience Forum hosted by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and Chamber of Industry and Commerce.