Educationin the Caribbean: Contributing to Sustainable Development

Ryan BurgessEducation Specialistryanb@iadb.org

Caribbean context

» Economy highly based on services (45%) especially tourism

» Limited diversity in production» Tourism and financial industries expanding» Vulnerable to climate change and natural

disasters» Negative effects from external shocks» Increasing levels of crime and violence» High levels of migration» Current priorities: poverty, unemployment, crime

and education

Youth in the Caribbean

» Over 60% of the population under 30» Youth unemployment rate over 30% » One of the highest rates of youth violence globally » Early initiation of sexual activities » High incidence of adolescent mothers (20% in DR &

Jamaica) » High rate of HIV/AIDS » High levels of unattached youth (in Jamaica, 24%

to 34% of youth unattached between 1998 – 2001)

Education in Caribbean

» High enrollment» High levels of completion rates in primary» Education quality requires improvement

» Average drop out rates increasing in secondary, especially boys

» High repetition» Low pass rates at end of secondary» Low literacy and numeracy

» Challenges in developing soft and life skills

IDB’s Education Strategy» Flagships:

» Early Childhood Development» School to Work Transition» Teacher Quality

» Concentration Areas:» ICT for Education» Numeracy and Literacy» Compensatory programs» Evaluation of education programs

Medium term strategy in Caribbean » Focus:

» Literacy and numeracy» Non-cognitive skills (life skills)» Youth at risk» Technical and vocational education and training» Link between education and labor market» Teacher quality» ICT in education

» Principles:» Maintain strong presence in Caribbean» Improve quality » Focus on results» Focus on regional and country frameworks

Expected outcomes

» Stronger link between education and labor market

» Improved cognitive and non-cognitive skills» Increased pass rates» Gains towards reaching MDGs

» Eradicate poverty (increase employment)» Universal primary education» Lower incidence of HIV/AIDS» Gender equality» Health

» Progress towards CSME and regional integration

Regional policies and priorities

» All teachers with Bachelor degree in CARICOM» Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ)» Spanish as 2nd language» Youth Policy started at CARICOM» Increase Tertiary Education» Data collection and data use as cross-sectional

issue