“We were able to also take a report from the concerned parents with respect to CXC, and we've asked for them to meet with CXC to remove any misunderstanding and to improve the response to their concerns. In addition to that, the Community took a decision that the time has come for the establishment of a CARICOM Educational Transformation Commission.”

CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Hon. Mia Mottley

CARICOM leaders have decided to establish an Educational Transformation Commission. CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley made the announcement at the culmination of the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government in Barbados during the closing media conference.

In 2024, a representative for the Group of Concerned Parents of Barbados and the Caribbean Coalition for Exam Redress advocated for the need to analyse Barbadian pupils' performance in light of a CXC report, which revealed a concerning fall in regional Mathematics proficiency.

Speaking to the media, the Chair highlighted the leaders’ decisive action.  “We were able to take a report from the concerned parents with respect to CXC, and we've asked for them to meet with CXC to remove any misunderstanding…to improve the response to their concerns. In addition to that, the Community took a decision that the time had come now for the establishment of a CARICOM Educational Transformation Commission,” explained the Chair.

“We all accept that our educational systems are not fit for purpose.”

The Chair emphasised that leaders agreed the current systems were not aligned with the Region's education goals. “They were designed for a colonial period with a hierarchical structure that only saw a few of our people. If we are to be able to ensure that we produce citizens fit for the time with the appropriate social and emotional learning targets, it is now,” asserted the Barbados Prime Minister.

The terms of reference and the composition of the Commission will be completed soon.

View the Chair’s comments below: