Ten strategies to bring about a vital reform of Cayman’s education system were outlined to the House by Education Minister Alden McLaughlin yesterday.
Mr. McLaughlin said the strategies had been arrived at as a result of a report from the two-day national education conference held last month.
What was being proposed was not a minor repair job, he told the Legislative Assembly.
It was proposed to usher in a sea change in education, he said.
The strategies were:
The development of an administrative framework for a new education service. There would be a new framework where students were at the centre of the education system, he said.
The setting up of a task force to oversee the review and revision of the national curriculum.
The development of an early years unit to set standards for day care centres and pre-schools.
The setting up of a human resources unit in the Ministry, devoted to education service matters.
The development of a unit responsible for careers in education and guidance.
A review of the core business processes in the department including budgeting.
Improvements in the use of education statistics.
The development of technical and vocational education programmes.
The development of a strategic plan for the maintenance of educational facilities.
The development of high quality training for teachers.
Mr. McLaughlin said a financial review was under way seeking to take a holistic look at the working of all financial related activity in the Department of Education. It was expected to be completed by 28 October.
He claimed the current education service had undermined the needs of children.
Far too many were leaving school with little to show and with few hopes of meaningful career prospects, he told the House.
Mr. McLaughlin was introducing a government motion asking for the House to endorse the report and for it to be adopted as a blueprint for the reform of education.
A proposed amendment, moved by Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush, that the report be referred to the general public and conference delegates for consideration was defeated by 11 votes to five.
Mr. McLaughlin said the widest possible consultative process had been adopted and input sought from stakeholders.
He said he need not have brought the motion for debate and could have just laid it on the table in the House.
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