Training workshop for education reform

In order to consolidate the steps made towards achieving the goal of Universal Secondary Education, the Ministry of Education assert that teachers need to embrace a holistic approach to student assessment. Teachers will, therefore, need to place strong emphasis on formative evaluation and continuous assessment, employ profile reporting, compile records of achievement, and give attention to attitudes of students during the learning process.{{more}}

Universal Secondary Education requires a change in the process of transferring students from primary to secondary school. The profiling of students, beginning at Grade K and continuing throughout the primary system, is considered, therefore, as an appropriate strategy for this purpose. Profiling will require the compilation of a proper system of records, detailing the progress of each student. To this end, formative assessment, i.e. assessment for learning, must assume greater significance in the instructional process within schools. It is, therefore, imperative that our teachers retool to manage this aspect of change.

In this regard, therefore, 40 Teachers from primary and secondary schools participated in a Training Workshop (March 15 to March 21). Funding was provided by the OECS Education Reform Unit.

The sessions were held at the Fisheries Complex (15, 20 & 21) and the Red Cross Headquarters (16 & 17). They were trained in the various modes of assessment (formative, summative and continuous) and in methods of record keeping. They will, in turn, be required to conduct similar training throughout the system.

The Facilitator was Mrs. Sylvia Jack, Retired Senior Education Officer/Curriculum. She was supported by Mr. Marcus Caine, Senior Education Officer/Assessment & Evaluation, Mrs. Elizabeth Walker, Education Officer/Assessment & Evaluation, Ms. Beverley Neptune, Education Officer/Special Education, Mrs. Kay Martin, Education Officer/Language Arts and Mrs. Amaala Muhammed, Education Officer/Science.