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Hemisphere’s Ministers Pledge in Tobago to Redouble Efforts on Education Goals for Americas

TOBAGO - Education is now set for renewed impetus in the hemisphere's nations, with the responsible ministers agreeing at their Organization of American States (OAS) sponsored meeting in Tobago that they would redouble efforts to achieve the education goals of the Summit of the Americas. They pledged to join the "will and efforts of all sectors of society to achieve educational quality, equity, and efficiency."

Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Education, Hazel Manning, chaired the three-day IV Meeting of Ministers of Education of the Americas that ended Friday evening, after the ministers adopted a Declaration of Scarborough and Commitment to Action containing eight areas of focus "to ensure concrete and effective actions." Included are efforts aimed at "keeping education in a prominent position in public debate, public policy decisions and public and private investment."

In their Declaration, the ministers said they would urge cooperation, financing and development agencies to support nations as they strive to achieve education-related goals of the Summits [of the Americas] and inter-American education ministerial meetings. This fourth education ministerial undertook as well to build on research findings and initiatives in education, and "to support and strengthen the teaching force in the countries of our hemisphere." It also underscored the ministers’ consensus that education systems should be broadened to include due emphasis on early childhood education.

The ministers also committed themselves to promoting science education as well as technical education, "in order to develop human capacity, eliminate gender bias, reduce technology gaps and foster a knowledgeable workforce." The declaration also underscores the collective will to maximize the use of information and communications technology to improve learning, promote equity, and support cross-national cooperation through strengthening the network of individual country educational portals.

The ministers also launched an Inter-American Program for Education on Democratic Values and Practices, citing “a growing body of literature to support the need for promoting a democratic culture,” and based on the philosophy that “democracy requires an aware, involved and active citizenry with democratic values and practices.” As a first activity they committed to meeting in Mexico, which offered to host a seminar to share best practices in the area of citizenship education.

"Our deliberations have reinforced our understanding of the centrality of education to human development and to development in general," the Trinidad and Tobago education minister declared in closing remarks. "We have identified concrete areas which will advance a broad social, political and economic agenda. This agenda is anchored in an interdisciplinary approach, which brings together all sectors."

She continued: "We agreed that education is the key to sustainable development. Together we have embarked with confidence upon the road to make our theme of 'Quality Education for a Democratic and Productive Citizenry' a reality."

Meanwhile, Brian Stevenson, the OAS' Executive Secretary for Integral Development, thanked Minister Manning and her Ministry as well as the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for hosting the meeting.

Commenting afterwards, he noted that Mexico has passed on the baton to Trinidad and Tobago to lead the ministerial dialogue and chair the Inter-American Committee on Education for the next two years. The importance of this, he pointed out, is the opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago to focus on "the achievements of this meeting as well as the directions that we get from the Summit of the Americas in November."

Reference: E-167/05