The Caribbean regional meeting of the COL Focal Points took place on 30th and 31st August 2018 in Jamaica to strengthen the effectiveness of COL’s work in addressing key priorities for education and training in the region and to share information about developments related to learning for sustainable development.
The meeting was inaugurated by Senator the Honourable Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Government of Jamaica. He emphasised the need for a holistic, agile and flexible education system to prepare the youth to respond to the challenges emerging in the fourth Industrial Revolution. He indicated that the rigid educational structures are responsible for conditions such as poor enrollment and boys’ under achievement. He complimented COL for enhancing flexible learning opportunities and for the Focal Points meeting which would help countries to share their experiences and strengthen the Caribbean partnership.
Professor Asha Kanwar, COL President and CEO welcomed Minister Reid and the Focal Points and explained how COL promotes learning for sustainable development using technologies. She referred to the targeted approach that had helped deepen COL’s work in each country and how this meeting would further identify opportunities for sustained engagement.
COL holds Focal Points’ meetings around the Commonwealth once every three years to obtain first-hand information of country priorities. This is the second meeting in the series planned for 2018. Nine Focal Points from the 12 Member States in the region attended the meeting.
