Commonwealth to launch report on education in small states

The Commonwealth Secretariat is to launch a report on the education needs of Commonwealth small states following a consultation last month with senior education officials from Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Maldives and Malta.

The report - due in February 2011 - will reflect the findings of the meeting on education priorities in Asian and European small states held by the Secretariat in Brunei Darussalam on 15-16 December 2010.

Attended by permanent secretaries and senior representatives, the December meeting provided small states from two relatively distinct regions of the Commonwealth with the opportunity to share insights on similar issues and concerns.

Participants identified key concerns that needed to be addressed through capacity-building and research initiatives and by sharing of good practices, which is where the Secretariat can provide support. These include the need for quality teaching, and professional development programmes for teachers and school leaders.

Information and communication technology for education, assistance with curriculum reform - particularly in preparing teachers through Continuing Professional Development Programmes - and issues of benchmarking and national qualification frameworks were also highlighted.

Looking ahead of the 2015 date for meeting the Millennium Development Goals and Education for All targets, the need for expansion in the tertiary education sector was also raised.

Nasir Kazmi, Education Adviser at the Secretariat, who led the consultation said: “The meeting achieved its main goal to ensure that through a participatory consultation and planning process, the smaller Commonwealth states are better supported to advance education in their countries through provision of capacity-building and research initiatives. It provided a platform for the sharing of good practices within the small states.”

He noted that these were common elements highlighted by previous consultations carried out in African, Caribbean and Pacific small states.

Dr Sylvia Anie, Director responsible for Education at the Secretariat, said: “There are 32 small states in the Commonwealth, with many common characteristics. Consultation ensures the opportunity for the Secretariat [and for] respective countries to mutually identify priorities and education development issues.”

The consultation paid particular attention to good practices that could be shared among the countries that took part, such as Brunei’s Curriculum Development initiative, which is a part of that country’s education reform that seeks to impart students with knowledge, skills, values, and lifelong learning. The curriculum places learners at the centre of knowledge and understanding, essential skills and attitudes and values.