We all have a different way to think. As individual humans we have a distinct set of traits that separate us from our distant neighbours, as a human team we also have different skills and competencies. Education is what helps most of us perform those skills and competencies, without it the team that is completed will not be complete.
Education brings about development
Development must be a benefit to all, a generalist view is, only the advancement of the dominant side, entrepreneurship is the export of that intelligence. We can all see the dividends of education. Food producing diversifies livelihoods, raises standards of living, defends a society and otherwise benefits the world.
We look at each other and ask how do we train to accomplish things, to make it easy for us? I look at each other and ask how do we make it complex for others? Education gives us an answer to these questions; how to simplify, how to improve everything.
I’ve written many articles about education, how to promote a more holistic school that creates a more holistic society. So why am I refocusing the attention on education?
A silver lining
Grenada requires a greater amount of internationalization. “Education systems that are well-developed, geographically, in terms of degree requirements, have a direct positive impact on international trends. All aspects of school life are core to education, including the physical environment and total learning environment that are characterised by innovation and innovation, creative thinking, critical thinking and problem solving…” (NCDP Programmes for Development).
Also, obviously, this might mean spending more time in schools, in a bit of an odd theory nerd connection. However, as I often hear it said that “education can only be provided if the society is willing to pay for it”, the country needs to be willing to invest in the education of its children to better compete in global.
We are currently at a tipping point, a critical moment for education, an opportunity, that we must capitalise. Good starting point for the next few years, the more we invest and build towards a better future, the more success will be achieved.
Education is necessary
The monetary commitment
The consumption of education is huge. I’ve not yet been to a school that had such a large amount of money, however what exists in this country is mainly main accomodation and meals and yet still can be found in a school. Education is expensive, but education is necessary to accomplish those abilities and prospects.
Education requires long-term commitment, buy-in from the parents, you need to address the training your child needs. Today’s schools and modern learning theories require a shift from a day to a week at a higher level than classroom time to learning at a higher speed. Standard classes, distant learning, remote learning etc. ,that requires a greater willingness from parents to spend more.
Funding
There is a funding gap that cannot be closed by a government alone. The difference must be made up between the years of an eight year university education and the average education. The numbers have just changed in the last two years — take for example, just a year ago there were approximately. That number has now grown by an 80% and more. That is a major change in student population needs a significant move in funding.
To give a qualitative perspective, funding needs are huge, not just from the Ministry of Education but from the family and non-government sectors. Who are the major donors?
Funding is a challenge
The current funding system is highly regressive and does not target the education needs of the country, it is up to the schools to fund Government source of funds like scholarships, bursaries, grants etc are greatly needed, but the funding gap remains, in fact, the gap has been growing. It is a challenge of the type we all expect to see our education funding and resulting outcome to mirror — that is, it’s currently one heck of a well funded system.
They are stable in year-in-year-out budget growth, there is the renewal of teachers, upgrades to infrastructure, and these are the only positive things that are delivered by the system, it’s ok, but we know that if we need to make improvements in our education systems then the funding gap needs to be bridged. This means, more and more investment from both sectors should be made.
It is always risky, but it’s possible
Money is hard to find and getting it is tough, but the unique quality of education in Grenada gives the hope that investing in education could very well be a successful venture, as well as a chance to achieve some successes at the end of a
FOCUS: have an opinion on the importance of
