St Kitts and Nevis working to improve education sector

The Ministry of Education St Kitts and Nevis says they are placing a lot of effort on the critical activities specified in the Education Section Plan for 2020-2021.

Dr Tricia Esdaille, Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education, discussed the success of an interview with the state broadcaster.

She stated that the Ministry of Education highlighted the programme area of professionalization of the Teaching Force from 2019 to 2021.

"We were able to receive money for various initiatives that were carried out within that programme area thanks to funding from the Organization of American States (OAS)/Development Cooperation Fund during their education cycle, which runs from 2017 to 2021,".

She stated that the education ministry has worked on the modification of the education sector's career pathway and the creation of a framework for continuing professional development.

Dr Esdaille explained, "In 2021, we established a consultancy focusing on the development of professional standards for educators, including a code of conduct that is meant to meet the professional responsibilities and moral obligations of everyone who work in the education sector."

In addition, the Ministry of Education worked on updating the educator performance appraisal system to reflect officers' principal tasks better. She said the ministry is also working to create a more transparent method for evaluating job performance in all areas and levels of the education sector.

The recent technical review of the proposed professional standards, code of conduct, and performance appraisal system with various stakeholders, according to Dr Esdaille, was meant to allow participants in prior consultations to familiarise themselves with the draught materials.

"The purpose of the meeting was for those who took part in our November consultations to examine the draught documents that had been generated, review them, and provide feedback on the final draughts."

The consultancy will end in February, and a national presentation of the finalized draught is scheduled for next week, February 02, 2022.

Dr Esdaille stated, "This consultancy brings to a close a body of work that would have taken place over a three (3) year cycle under the theme of 'Professionalizing the Teaching Force.'"

The Ministry of Education will now devote its efforts to implementing and operationalizing all of the policies and frameworks produced under this programme area to educate the public about the implications of professionalizing the teaching force.