CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT

A workshop geared at assisting teachers to integrate information on the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and its regimes into their teaching plans got underway in Dominica on Friday.

Thirty secondary school teachers will be exposed to the importance of CSME and will be better educated on its role during the workshop.

Speaking at an opening ceremony, held at the Windsor Park Stadium, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, Marcella Powell, said the initiative will provide teachers with “greater scope and depth when teaching the aspect of the social studies curriculum.”

“This training session is critical for educators since they are well positioned to disseminate the relevant information to the youth population,” Powell said.

According to her, Caricom Heads have mandated increase awareness activities for CSME.

“Moreover, they have significantly ask for public education that is appropriate and relevant to Caribbean people needs at this time in our history and development journey,” she noted.

She went on to say that the workshop will address, “information flows within CSME, the types and number of channels available for promoting CSME material and information, design, implementation, evaluation, the need for better primary, secondary and tertiary CSME relevant curriculum, professional and development session for ministry of education technical officers and teachers, certification on CSME related skills and competences and increase access to educational opportunities for Caribbean students.”

“The benefits of the training will be materialized through better oral and communication skills in our many languages, Mathematic literacy, addressing statistics and research, stock exchange and accounting, problem solving skills to meet the challenges of our many cultures, critical thinking to help express our creativity, inform decision making for our managers and leaders,” Powell remarked.

Meanwhile, Director of Trade, Matthan Walter stated that the workshop will be the catalyst to creating a path for young people in embracing the benefits and objective of regional integration.

“It is more difficult to convert adults about the realistic benefits of regional integration if their minds have been made up otherwise, hence the engagement of the youth,” he stated.

Walter urged teachers to listen and participate actively in the discussions and activities plan for the day

“My advice to you, leave this place with the intention that your students see themselves as Caricom citizens, rather than Dominican citizens only,” he noted.

The workshop is facilitated by Education and Assessment Specialist, Dr. Gordon N. Harewood.

It is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Energy and Employment and the CSME Unit.