Education ministry to introduce compulsory education
Published:Wednesday | May 21, 2008 | 10:47 AM
Education Minister, Andrew Holness said he would soon be taking a draft policy to cabinet for the introduction of compulsory education up to age 18.
Mr. Holness said most young people aged 16 and 17 are out of school but unemployable.
He said the government would be establishing a National Education Inspectorate to provide independent evaluation of schools against set standards.
The inspectorate will also recommend minimum standards and policy initiatives to the ministry.
The education minister also disclosed plans to further decentralise the operations of the ministry by establishing Regional Education Authorities.
The ministry plans to establish five more regional offices, which will, along with the six existing offices, implement the policies and minimum standards set by the ministry.
Mr. Holness said under the new regime, the ministry would mainly be responsible for policy making and monitoring and evaluating the performance of the education system.