MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TOGETHER WITH THE OECS COMMISSION WORKING TO ENHANCE EDUCATION SECTOR VIA PEARL PROJECT

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 30, 2022 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Education and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have partnered to strengthen the delivery of education and learning resources across the region. On September 29. 2022, a joint meeting between officials from the Ministry of Education and members of the OECS EDMU team was held to discuss the roll-out of the ‘Pearl Project’ across the Federation. 

“As the Minister of Education, I love learning, and I can imagine that this morning’s activity would be a learning exercise for me as I recognize that you are here on a mission trying to get first-hand of the national challenges with regard to the implementation of the ‘Pearl Project’. So, as a new Minister not knowing everything that has been going on in education, I am eager to learn this morning and when I look at the six objectives that are here, they are all doable and they reminded me of when I was in the classroom and we had to use our objectives to make sure that what we are delivering is achieved. So, I believe during the course of the day we will have more time to assess in the various areas,” said Minister of Education, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley. 

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission is seeking to create a new educational experience for children of the OECS with the launch of its new Programme for Educational Advancement and Relevant Learning or OECS PEARL. Mr. Rafer Gordon Education specialist within the OECS Commission gave a brief description of the ‘Project Pearl’, and the functions of the OECS Commission and applauded the work being done by the Ministry of Education in St. Kitts and Nevis. 

“The OECS Commission ultimately works for member states; many people in the region do not understand that. They think that the OECS Commission is there almost like some kind of headquarters driving and directing the countries but it is the reverse. It is a body that is set up to respond to the needs of the member states. So, we follow your mandate. Of course, the education development management unit like many other units is teamed with professionals and experts in various fields who understand the different sectors that they are trying to drive and so they will always have ideas and recommendations to make to member states,” said Mr. Rafer Gordon. 

The USD $10 million OECS PEARL project, funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), seeks to increase the quality of teaching and learning in the OECS region, especially in light of the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education sector.

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