Grenada improving education and training for students

Published on Saturday, June 6, 2009

ST GEORGE'S Grenada (GIS) -- The government of Grenada says it is moving to address the World Bank’s concern that school leavers are not sufficiently skilled to support business and enterprise demands.

In this regard, Parliament on Monday agreed to an EC$1.9 million loan from the World Bank to improve the quality of education and training offered to students in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

In 2006, the financial institution issued a report indicating that Grenada faces the biggest regional challenge with regard to the skills of its population. The report ranked Grenada last in the Western Hemisphere.

Government officials have been working feverishly to rectify the problem which Finance Minister Nazim Burke, Leader of Government Business in the Lower House, has described as a cause for alarm.

Burke, who is also Minister of Economic Development, said the aim is to improve the quality of education, as well as strengthen the management of education. He said counselling was among five areas identified for special recognition in the education improvement plan.

“It is no secret that one of the major shortcomings of our education system has been the lack of trained counsellors to assist and guide our young people in their career development choices,” Minister Burke said.

“This program provides for 20 counsellors at the undergraduate level, an additional 12 at the master’s level, which I believe will go a long way in the quality of education in our country.”

Over 17,000 primary and secondary school students stand to benefit from the program.