Transforming education in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and as such is being supported by GPE alongside Dominica, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The OECS recognizes the importance of improving education systems so that all individuals can access quality education and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. On average OECS countries currently spend 5% of their GDP on education, with progress made in access to basic education as well as improved support for vulnerable and at-risk students.

However OECS countries continue to face challenges, including difficulties in retaining teachers, learning inequalities for the most marginalized and disadvantaged children, and gender disparities in enrollment.

To tackle these issues, the 2012-2026 OECS Education Sector Strategy (OESS) outlines 7 steps to improve education systems across OECS countries:

  1. Improve the quality and accountability of leadership and management
  2. Improve teachers’ professional development
  3. Improve the quality of teaching and learning
  4. Improve curriculum and strategies for assessment
  5. Increase (and expand) access to quality early childhood development services
  6. Provide opportunities for all learners in technical and vocational education and training
  7. Increase provisions for tertiary and continuing education.

In addition, the OESS highlights the importance of developing strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to strengthen accountability and implementation of the strategy.

Result story

OECS-GPE COVID-19 response program creates community-based employment

A multi-pronged approach in the GPE’s OECS partner countries is helping mitigate the education, health and economic impact of COVID-19.

Grants

(data as of August 31, 2023)

  • Type: System capacity

    Years: 2022 - 2024

    Allocation: US$750,000

    Utilization: US$678,336

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: Program implementation

    Years: 2021 - 2025

    Allocation: US$10,000,000

    Utilization: US$162,173

    Grant agent: OECS

  • Type: Program development

    Years: 2020 - 2021

    Allocation: US$389,600

    Utilization: US$389,600

    Grant agent: OECS

  • Type: COVID-19

    Years: 2020 - 2022

    Allocation: US$3,000,000

    Utilization: US$1,892,237

    Grant agent: OECS

  • Type: Sector Plan Development

    Years: 2018 - 2021

    Allocation: US$448,430

    Utilization: US$448,430

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: Program implementation

    Years: 2016 - 2019

    Allocation: US$1,775,557

    Utilization: US$1,775,557

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: Program development

    Years: 2015 - 2016

    Allocation: US$314,840

    Utilization: US$314,840

    Grant agent: WB

  • Type: Sector Plan Development

    Years: 2014 - 2016

    Allocation: US$285,240

    Utilization: US$285,240

    Grant agent: WB

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