"Inclusive and strategic approach needed to effectively respond to emerging challenges faced by Region’s education system" - CARICOM Secretariat Director for Human and Social Development

Director of Human and Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Ms Helen Royer, advocates for an inclusive and strategic approach to effectively respond to the emerging challenges faced by the Region’s education system, including the gaps resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Director shared her insight on the progress and challenges in the education sector during her opening remarks at the Meeting of Officials ahead of the 48th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Education, held virtually on Friday, 18 October.

She emphasised that the CARICOM Secretariat recognises and applauds the continued commitment of education professionals and regional and international partners for their valuable contributions. “You have continued to provide leadership and strategic direction to the education sector. Your expertise and commitment will continue to shape and enhance the future of education across the Region,” stated Ms Royer.

Please read her remarks below.

MEETING OF OFFICIALS PREPARATORY TO THE FORTY-EIGHTH MEETING OF THE COUNCIL FOR HUMAN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (COHSOD) – EDUCATION, 18 OCTOBER 2024

VIRTUAL

WELCOME REMARKS

By

MRS. HELEN ROYER

DIRECTOR, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

• Mr. Elvis Morain, Chair of the Preparatory Meeting of the Officials
• Permanent Secretaries
• Chief Education Officers
• Representatives of Institutions

Permit me to warmly welcome you to the Meeting of Officials Preparatory to the Forty-Eighth Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Education, and to bring greetings from the CARICOM Secretariat.

Today, we are here to discuss the work of improving the education system  in our thrust to ensure that we realise the human potential of the Caribbean Person, and to ensure an improved quality of life for all. I take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Elvis Morain, Permanent Secretary,  as the incoming Chairman for the COSHOD (Education) and wish him well during his tenure.

With the increased challenges that the Region’s education sytem faced as a result of COVID-19, and the perennial issues that exist, it is imperative that an all inclusive and strategic approach be employed to strengthen our education systems  in order to effectively  respond to the emerging challenges we face.

For the next few hours, many critical issues related to education will be addressed, and as always, we look forward to your valuable input and guidance and subsequently, for implementation  of  strategic interventions at your local jurisdiction to address the education needs of the people of the Caribbean Community.  Among the agenda items are key policy areas that you, as chief technical experts, will discuss.

We will depend on your expertise to determine whether these should be advanced for policy approval.  The agenda reflects a consultative and all-inclusive approach; ongoing issues and new areas are being brought forward for discussion and recommendations. These include but not limited to -

• updates on the Revised Quality Assurance Criteria and Guidelines to Award the CVQ; and
• on the status of the implementation of the HRD 2030 Strategy.

There are several other policy areas that updates will be provided but I am sure the Chair will speak more extensively to these as the meeting proceeds.

Of critical importance, we note that all these items are aimed at strengthening of our education system and a thrust to transformative and innovative learning.

Colleagues, be mindful that moving the education agenda forward is not only necessary but imperative if we are to remain relevant and achieve the SDGs. This will require collaboration among all partners.  The Secretariat recognises and applauds the continued commitment of education professionals and regional and international partners for their valuable contributions. You have continued to provide leadership and strategic direction to the education sector. Your expertise and commitment will continue to shape and enhance the future of education across the Region.

Today’s meeting presents an excellent opportunity for us to provide our collective insight to address the challenges we face in assuring a stable education system in the Region, and we should chart a course towards more integrated and effective approaches to achieving a transformative education system. The diversity of expertise and perspectives in this room, will auger well for the necessary creativity and innovation to reach meaningful solutions.   I have every confidence that the way you have charted will lead us to success.  You will continue to turn seemingly impossible tasks into achievable reality.  The  Secretariat reaffirms our support to advancing these imperatives.

In closing, I wish you fruitful deliberations during the meeting and look forward to your recommendations that will be advanced to the Ministerial Meeting.

Thank you.