Education Minister Anticipates Heightened Standards

Hon Nigel Carty

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 06, 2011 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Education is eagerly anticipating recommendations of a report set to arrive soon from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) which will help to make high school and college graduates more marketable both nationally and regionally.

Minister of Education Hon. Nigel Carty told SKNIS that the conclusion of a recent evaluation by representatives from CXC to assess the readiness of two high schools in the Federation to achieve and administer the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Standard was of paramount importance to individuals’ capacity to fill employment gaps in the working world.

The minister explained that the need to prepare graduates to hone the appropriate skills that will ready them to meet the needs of employers and get satisfaction from their work, is the main thrust behind introducing the CVQ.

He added that its implementation in high schools around the Federation would also prepare graduates to move around the region, freely as they will possess the certification necessary to support their skill level.

Minister Carty commended the Cayon and Verchilds’ High School for taking a leading role in the Federation and in the region as two of the institutions at the forefront of the implementation of the CVQ.

He also revealed the intention to focus on the hospitality division of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College initially, followed closely by the technical and vocational components of the college. A concentration on the human and material requirements, with a view to improving quality and access to these programmes, is the immediate objective.

“Our goal is to empower people to find work and create work for themselves,” said the Minister.