Minister of Education Sonia Parag has called on CARICOM countries to place greater emphasis on strengthening the teaching profession and ensuring that regional education policies deliver tangible improvements for students, educators and families.
Speaking at the opening of the 52nd Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Wednesday, Minister Parag, who also assumed the Chairmanship of COHSOD, said educators must be equipped with continuous professional development, adequate resources and supportive working environments.
“Our educators need ongoing professional development, the right tools, and supportive working environments where they feel respected. Strengthening the teaching profession must remain at the absolute centre of our regional agenda,” the minister said.
Her remarks placed teacher development at the heart of a wider push for an education system that is practical, inclusive and responsive to the everyday realities of Caribbean citizens.
Parag also stressed that education must extend beyond academic achievement and the acquisition of professional skills. She said the development of values and character is equally important in preparing children for life.
“Education is also about character—our ability to show kindness, demonstrate empathy, and treat those around us with consideration,” she said.
According to the minister, those values are first developed within the family, even before children enter the formal education system.
She, therefore, highlighted the importance of engagement with the Caribbean Council of National Parent Teacher Associations, noting that stronger partnerships among parents, teachers and school leaders can create better learning environments and give families a meaningful role in children’s development.
“If we are educating for life, we must honour the entire ecosystem in which that life is lived,” Parag told the meeting.
The minister pointed to several areas on the COHSOD agenda, including micro-credentials, apprenticeships, primary mathematics, teacher support and parent engagement, arguing that they should not be viewed as separate issues.
Instead, she said they are connected by the common objective of “building an education system that is practical, inclusive, and grounded in the daily lives of our people.”
Parag also underscored the importance of regional cooperation, noting that CARICOM member states have demonstrated their ability to achieve more by working collectively. However, she cautioned that regional discussions and agreements must ultimately produce measurable benefits for citizens.
“Our task as ministers is not merely to endorse good ideas—our job is to deliver results,” she declared.
“Our citizens expect our regional decisions to translate into tangible, visible improvements in their local classrooms, training centres, and communities.”
The 52nd Meeting of COHSOD provides a platform for regional officials to deliberate on critical issues affecting education and human development across the Caribbean, with the discussions expected to help shape coordinated approaches to strengthening education systems throughout the Community.