Topic: Ministry of Education
Kent meningitis outbreak sparks concern for Cayman students
Cayman education officials say they are in contact with students following a meningitis outbreak in Kent that has left two dead.
UK university tuition fees to rise with inflation annually from 2026
UK university tuition fees will rise annually in line with inflation from August 2026 – a move likely to impact hundreds of Caymanian students enrolled at UK universities.
MPs hope lessons are learned over George Hicks refurbishment spend
MPs have raised concerns over the cost and execution of the refurbishment of the former George Hicks high school campus, saying that there should have been greater oversight regarding how fast the project was progressing and how much needed to be done.
High school students hone skills at prestigious music camp
Thirteen students from the John Gray High School have returned home after attending a String Orchestra Camp at the Florida State University.
Sir John A. Cumber Primary celebrates being ‘good’ by OES
Students, faculty and staff of Sir John A. Cumber Primary School recently celebrated receiving a 'good school' rating from the Office of Education Standards, with a special banner-unveiling ceremony held at the school’s campus on Wednesday.
Mathematics still a weak spot for Cayman’s students
Fewer than two in five students at government secondary schools in Cayman last year reached the nationally expected standard for Key Stage 4, as underperformance in mathematics continued.
New Government High School Scholars recognised
Three young Caymanians have joined a growing list of 'Government High School Scholars' recognised by the Ministry of Education.
New education deputy chief officer announced
A new deputy chief officer at the Ministry of Education has been appointed.
The ministry said Jerome McCoy had been acting deputy chief minister since...
New CIFEC plan splits classes between two sites
Education officials have announced a temporary solution for Cayman Islands Further Education Centre students which will see classes divided between two locations and a shift teaching system starting 16 Sept.
As school year begins, CIFEC relocation yet to be confirmed
Months after asbestos was confirmed at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre, officials are working to secure alternative locations to teach students during the 2024/25 school year, which is already under way.
Pay increases for principals, deputies and assistant teachers
Principals, deputy principals and assistant teachers at Cayman's public schools are finally getting the pay rises they have been repeatedly promised.
Asbestos discovery confirmed at CIFEC
Experts have confirmed the presence of asbestos at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre, underlining the urgent need for a new premises for the Walkers Road school.
Remaining phases of multi-million-dollar John Gray High School facing delays
One year after John Gray High School's grand opening, government is still struggling to move forward with the final phases of the project, which has stretched on for more than 15 years and already cost tens of millions of dollars.
Parents thrilled with pre-school programme ‘no money can buy’
The Ministry of Education’s 'Smart Start' initiative for under-4s, launched in East End and North Side in January last year, has now expanded to Bodden Town.
Caymanian student tops Dean’s List at UWI
Caymanian Brianna Bodden was among those students named to the Dean's List and Honour Society of The University of the West Indies for the 2022/2023 academic year.
120 families to get $1,200 grant for early childhood tuition
A one-time grant of $1,200 will be sent to 120 vulnerable families in Cayman to cover at least one month of tuition fees at registered early childhood education centres.
‘Social promotion’ formalised for Cayman education system
A new government policy details the processes that educational facilities must follow when considering if a child should be placed out of their year group.
Private school buses ‘a work in progress’, says education minister
Logistics, finances and private sector cooperation are some of the challenges the Ministry of Education has encountered in attempts to move forward plans for private school buses.
New Brac high school planned on protected parrot’s habitat
The long-term future of the protected Cayman Brac Parrot could be at risk if a large area of its habitat is cleared to build a new high school, according to the Department of Environment.
Red Bay Primary expansion work begins
Work has begun on a four-month project to build three new classrooms and convert three more at Red Bay Primary School.
New education staffer under investigation for ‘serious sexual assault’
A newly hired school support staff member has been bailed pending further inquiries following an allegation of serious sexual assault made against him by a teenage girl, police have confirmed.
Maths specialists among 137 new educators
In response to years of weak mathematics results in local classrooms, 14 new specialist maths teachers are joining primary schools across the Cayman Islands in the upcoming school year, Education Minister Juliana O'Connor-Connolly has announced.
School meals programme cut by $3 million
Government is cutting $3 million in the budget for its free public school meals programme after spending less than expected on the initiative in the first half of the year.
Maths grades ‘not ideal’, says education minister
Cayman’s education minister has pledged to improve mathematics skills in government schools, after a report revealed students are underperforming.
Work begins on new Bodden Town school hall and hurricane shelter
The Ministry of Education broke ground Tuesday for the new Theoline L McCoy Primary School Hall, which will double as a hurricane shelter, in Bodden Town.
Ministry of Education Removes Examination & Graduation Fees for Caymanian Students
The Ministry of Education (MoE) announces the removal of examination and graduation fees for Caymanian students enrolled in government schools.
One year on, checking the PACT’s progress on education goals
One year after the PACT government's publication of the 2022-2024 Strategic Policy Statement (SPS), 29 of the 34 education-related goals remain on the ‘To-Do’ list.
Education Ministry adds funds to scholarship programme
The Ministry of Education has received another $8 million for local and overseas scholarships and bursaries.
Education Ministry mulls extending Christmas break
The Ministry of Education and Department of Education Services have confirmed they are in consultation with government schools to extend Christmas break by two weeks.
Fact check: Sex education in Cayman
In Cayman’s social media groups, fear, anger and confusion have driven increasingly hostile discussions about gender and sexuality in recent weeks. With the newly enacted Civil Partnership Bill – passed by assent of Governor Martyn Roper – as the backdrop, debate has spiralled beyond same-sex partnerships and, at times, veered into the realm of misinformation.
Funding increased for early childhood assistance
The Ministry of Education has approved an increase in funding for students in the Early Childhood Assistance Programme to help support parents and children negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Tardy exam results complicate Year 12 entry
Year 12 students will begin the 2020-21 school year before the results of their external exams, such as CXC examinations, become available, advised the Department of Education Services on Friday.
OES: Budget concerns, digital access impact private schools’ remote learning
The Office of Education Standards commended Cayman’s private schools this week for their resourcefulness in handling remote learning, but noted inconsistencies across schools in quality of education.
Education roundup: Minister outlines school reopening plan
Minister of Education Juliana O’Connor-Connolly appeared alongside several of her colleagues during the 26 June government press conference to address questions about reopening Cayman’s schools.
Summer camps and daycares to open 5 July
Schools and daycare facilities will begin reopening on 5 July, as Cayman moves into Suppression Level 2 of the COVID-19 crisis. Eased public health protocol, announced by Premier Alden McLaughlin on 17 June, will allow tutoring centres, preschools, summer camps and bible schools to receive children in person.
Technological and social challenges complicate remote learning
While few of Cayman’s young people have become physically ill from the virus, they are living with its social and developmental consequences. School closures, mandated in mid-March, mean most students in Cayman have not seen friends, teachers or coaches face-to-face in 12 weeks. Homes have become classrooms, parents have become teachers, and teachers have become masters of improvisation.
Home learning ‘an imperfect substitute for schools’, inspection finds
Nearly one in 10 public school students in the Cayman Islands lacked access to a digital device or computer as of mid-May, two months after government-mandated distance learning began, according to an inspection report released Thursday afternoon by the Office of Education Standards.
Education ministry to track student ‘learning loss’
The Ministry of Education is implementing methods of tracking 'learning loss' for students who have spent the last several weeks being schooled at home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Education minister: Schools closed until further notice
Cayman’s private and public schools will not reopen any time soon, according to Education Minister Juliana O'Connor-Connolly.
More Caymanians opt for private schools
Enrolment in private schools is increasing as more local parents opt out of placing their children in Cayman’s government-run public schools, the Public Accounts Committee heard last week.
Educators eye cameras for classrooms
Education officials are considering adding cameras in local classrooms.
Sir John A. Cumber teachers happy with new curriculum
Teachers and administrators at Sir John A. Cumber Primary say implementing the new school curriculum has gone relatively smoothly.
Tenders sought for drug-sniffing dogs in schools
The Ministry of Education opens tender to have drug-sniffing dogs used at government high schools.
UCCI expects budget boost
An anticipated infusion of $1.3 million from the Ministry of Education is allowing the University College of the Cayman Islands to end its year with a balanced budget.
Cacho named education chief officer
Cetonya Cacho has been named chief officer for the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands. Cacho has been serving in an acting capacity since the departure of Christen Suckoo in August 2018.
Curriculum information remains on hold
The Ministry of Education has enlisted the help of a local public relations agency to promote the new curriculum being implemented in its primary schools, but so far little information on the programme has been released.
Pay raise for teachers delayed
Despite a government surplus and the promise last year of a 1 Sept. wage increase for teachers, Education Ministry officials now say teachers won’t get the expected bump in salary for another year.
Student test scores show more work needs to be done
Preliminary test results show Year 11 Cayman students improving over last year while Year 6 scores declined.
Year 12 student scores narrow against expectations
Recently released data from the Ministry of Education shows a slight improvement in Key Stage 2 performance and in that of Year 12 students. However, the comparative performance of Year 12 students to how they were expected to do fell off in 2018.
New principal taking over at Clifton Hunter High
Pauline Beckford is leaving as principal of Clifton Hunter High School.
Governance change looming for schools
In his recent strategic policy statement to the Legislative Assembly, Premier Alden McLaughlin outlined a move to decentralise control away from the Ministry of Education and Department of Education Services.
EDITORIAL – Disabilities study should be public information
When government uses public funds to study an issue of public interest, the product belongs to the people.
Transparency is a philosophical cornerstone of any...
Decade-old disabilities study still not public
Premier Alden McLaughlin said during his Strategic Policy Statement this month that a new Sunrise Adult Training Centre will be built by early 2021, but government still has not released a study commissioned nearly 10 years ago on the special-needs facilities.
EDITORIAL — Why care about school inspections?
The new school inspection framework sets appropriately high expectations. Now it is up to us to reach the bar.
Youth Parliament takes center stage
The ideas are the same but delivered with the force of youthful exuberance.
Ministry of Education clears debt with UWI’s Open Campus
The Ministry of Education has squared its accounts with the University of the West Indies with a payment of $2.3 million, and says it wants to strengthen the relationship between the two entities.
Artificial playfields planned for primary schools
Government is planning to build a number of new football fields and playfields at primary schools throughout Grand Cayman.
New Proud of Them recipients announced
The Ministry of Education announced 12 new Proud of Them award winners at a reception and dinner Wednesday evening at the George Town Yacht Club.
Education Ministry outlines steps to improve high schools
The Ministry of Education released a statement on Saturday in response to a new report from the Office of Education Standards, showing that government high schools in the Cayman Islands are well short of where they need to be to meet accepted standards.
Brac Day Care Centre now satisfactory
The Cayman Brac Day Care Centre has made satisfactory progress in addressing problems that were identified as “important weaknesses” in a report issued in April by the Office of Education Standards.
EDITORIAL – Education 102: A ‘re-introduction’ to Cayman’s schools
In first world countries, this sort of information falls into the category of “old news” (or “not news”) because the figures typically are well-known and readily available to the public. In Cayman – well …. Suffice to say that our reporter Mark Muckenfuss put his phone book, Rolodex and records searching ability to good use.
Educational pitch
Today's editorial cartoon.
Grand Court will review government hiring dispute
The Grand Court will review a dispute between the Ministry of Education and the Civil Service Appeals Commission involving a situation where a non-Caymanian was hired to be the ministry’s human resources director over a Caymanian who says she was similarly qualified.
Christen Suckoo transferred to OfReg
Christen Suckoo has been seconded to serve as the chief operating officer at the Utility Regulation and Competition Office, known as OfReg, after serving as chief officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands.
Cayman documentary on sexual abuse to feature at international conference
A documentary about child sexual abuse made in the Cayman Islands will be featured at the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect’s congressbeing held in Prague this September.
Gender gap widening for college-bound Caymanians
Young Caymanian women appear to be attending overseas colleges and universities at more than twice the rate of their male counterparts.
Letter: Concerns about children and safety
I have been to see a Councilor in the Ministry of Education about several issues concerning our schoolchildren that are of great concern to me, and I believe others as well.
Math intervention boosts performance scores
A math intervention pilot program helped mid-range performing Year 3 students in government schools improve their performance by 38 percent over a three-month period.
Government seeks court review in ministry hiring dispute
The Cayman Islands government has requested that a court review a dispute surrounding a senior human resources hire made last year within the Ministry of Education.
Premier seeks commission to deal with ‘fair employment’
An independently appointed commission will be created to field complaints made by Caymanian job-seekers who feel they have been unfairly discriminated against during the hiring process, Premier Alden McLaughlin said last week.
EDITORIAL – Hiring authority: It must not be delegated or usurped
What Deputy Governor Franz Manderson knows, and former Deputy Governor Donovan Ebanks ought to know, is that department heads – not appointed commissions – MUST be empowered to make hiring decisions.
Childhood aid offered
Applications for financial help for preschool are now available through the Ministry of Education.
