MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

General Education

The main objective now is to improve the quality of education at all levels.

Curriculum development

A review of the curriculum has begun. A new combined curriculum for the first two years of primary school has been introduced. A revision of the rest of the primary school curriculum will be implemented in stages. The aim is a more flexible education system to enable a child to learn at a pace suited to his individual needs and his rate of maturing.

Language teaching

Language teaching in both the first and second languages will be increased and improved. More time for the teaching of language will be allotted in the primary years and fewer periods for the transmission of knowledge, so that students will become effectively articulate in the first and second languages before they go on to secondary school. This may mean fewer periods for history and geography, which can be made up for in the secondary school. Teacher training is undergoing overall review, to provide better teaching of bilingual students. It is planned in the next decade that nearly all teachers should be bilingual.

Technical education and industrial training

Technical education and industrial training programmes will continue to expand and develop. Eventually, most secondary schools will have a technical stream up to G.C.E. level.

The restructuring of the secondary school syllabus and training programme at vocational institutes is nearly completed. The emphasis in the next phase will be on the upgrading of skills through apprenticeship schemes and joint training programmes with industries.

The present shortage of skilled workers can only be met by in-plant training. In the next five years, the enrolment of technical students will be substantially increased to meet the needs of industry. The schools can give the basic grounding so that they can be easily trained for the special skills required in each industry.

Apprenticeship training

Urgent consideration is being given to apprenticeship systems. A comprehensive range of schemes will be initiated to regulate and formalise training in respect of certain industries, particularly those with advanced production methods requiring specialised technical skills. The schemes will provide a framework for effective control and supervision to maintain minimum standards. Inducements are being worked out to encourage industries to offer apprenticeship facilities. A proper system of grading and award of apprenticeship qualifications will be introduced.

The Ministry will intensify its joint training programme with industries, especially in precision skills. Industries will also be encouraged to operate jointly with the Ministry schemes for off-the-job industrial training (O.J.I.T.).

Industrial Training Board

The establishment of a statutory board is being considered to undertake responsibility for all matters related to industrial training, including apprenticeship, off-the-job industrial training and administration of the industrial institutions. The industrial sector will be well represented on this board. More extensive involvement by industries can lead to closer collaboration with the board and ensure that the training provided is relevant to our rapidly expanding industrial needs. Administration

Once the administration of industrial training is separated from technical education, there will be a reorganisation of the Ministry headquarters. The policy is to integrate the General and Technical Education Departments. This reorganisation began in 1970 with the division of the administrative and professional aspects of the work of the General Education Department and the creation of a second post of Permanent Secretary (Administration). A sound administrative structure can more effectively meet the changing needs of education, which must anticipate and respond more rapidly to the manpower needs of our fast changing economy.