The Education
development plan focuses on programmes targeted to assist
the nation in reaching its desirable goal of "equal
opportunity and access to education by all". There
is a strong reminder of the effects of globalization on
education in that "economies, which have become closely
interwoven in supply and demand of both products and services,
have caused an increasing demand for highly skilled workers,
who can adapt to and function in high performance jobs.
Implicit in this demand, is the capability of workers to
develop cognitive skills required to work in a modern organization,
and be flexible as the economy progresses…"
In this connection,
the total development of the youth in a holistic manner
is essential. In this new paradigm the development of sustained
capacities will depend on the linkage between education,
training, and technical/vocational skills development, and
the requirements of the labour market. This is fully endorsed
in the concept of the UNDP on human development, which states,
"enlarging people's choices can only be realized through
adequate and appropriate education".
Another effect
of globalization on the education system is the freedom
of movement of labour at the CARICOM level, which has led
to competition for space and placement; and the resultant
increase in the number of and enrollment in government and
private schools. With the advent of the CSME, services,
information, and communication are among the key sectors
that will require multi-skilled and multilingual workers.
If the national capacity is found wanting, increase in in-migration
of CARICOM and other Caribbean nationals will be the answer,
which can have far-reaching effects on the national labour
policy.
All efforts will
be made to strengthen and sustain national capacities to
deliver a quality education service at all levels and manage
it effectively and efficiently. Such a mandate will produce
better employment opportunities, reduce poverty levels,
and increase economic growth. The ministry will therefore
need to strengthen its partnership with the private sector,
and other stakeholders.