Caricom examines human

REGIONAL ministers of education have examined the Caricom Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy and Action Plan ahead of its submission to the Heads of Government in July.

The ministers, senior education officials and other regional education stakeholders met at the 32nd meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Friday in Georgetown, Guyana to examine the draft strategy that is expected to meet the region’s requirements for its 21st century economy and society.

A release from the Caricom secretariat said, the draft is the work of a Caricom Human Resource Development Commission which is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of St Kitts-Nevis, Shawn Richards.

The Caribbean Development Bank is providing financial and technical support for the development of the strategy.

Addressing the opening of the meeting Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque said the strategy’s plan of action include issues such as male participation in education, skills required for 21st century demands, the use of technology in the learning environment, and capitalising on the region’s innate creative skills to ensure it becomes a medium for personal and regional development.

He stressed the importance of moving science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics from concepts to practical outcomes and life skills.