By: Dr Carla Barnett
August 14, 2026
Good morning!
It is a pleasure to join you for the opening of this Fifty-Second Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development – Education, being held under the theme “Educating for Life, Purpose, and Caribbean Progress”.
I wish to convey warmest thanks to the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and, in particular, to the Honourable Sonia Parag, Minister of Education, and the Ministry of Education as a whole, for the arrangements made for hosting this important Meeting.
Thanks to Ministers of Education and delegates who have travelled here to attend this Meeting. Welcome to Guyana – I say that with pleasure – the Headquarters of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Thanks as well to the partners, some of whom are present here, who work along with the Secretariat and Member States in promoting investment in the educational future of our Caribbean people.
As CARICOM seeks to respond to the increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global environment, it is becoming ever more apparent that the education sector must be able to equip learners of all ages with the competencies and capabilities required to thrive personally and contribute meaningfully to national and regional development. Education, as we know, is far more than the acquisition of knowledge. A good education also prepares persons to lead meaningful lives, contribute to their communities, and shape the future for generations to come.
The agenda before this Meeting is intended to support the objective of nurturing lifelong learners and developing critical thinkers who are adaptable, digitally competent and creative problem-solvers, and who are active contributors to national and regional development. This takes us to the skills needed by our young people as we seek to prepare them for the future of work, in an era defined by technological transformation, economic uncertainty, and the impact of climate change.
Today is International Youth Day and we are to keep that in mind as we undertake deliberations over the next two days, given that our young people need access to education, decent work, finance, mental health support – all that is necessary for them to be able to live productive lives and grow into those who will steward our Region for generations to come.
Ministers would be aware that there is a growing demand for technical, vocational and digital skills in the Region. This presents an opportunity to strengthen the connection between education, skills development and employment.
In this context, Technical and Vocational Education and Training is equipping our citizens with the practical and critical competencies needed to navigate an economy where careers, technologies and even industries are evolving at an unprecedented pace.
TVET is, therefore, once again being seen as a strategic investment in the Region’s resilience and competitiveness. It develops skills essential to advancing digital transformation, and enabling the transition to a green and climate-resilient economy, as well as driving the innovation and productivity that underpin sustainable economic growth.
By expanding opportunities for meaningful work and entrepreneurship, particularly among young people, TVET also contributes to social inclusion and can play an important role in creating pathways to economic participation.
CARICOM has built a strong regional architecture for skills development. Our qualifications frameworks and the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs), promote common standards, competency-based certification and facilitate the free movement of skilled workers.
Through the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA), we have been strengthening collaboration and quality assurance across national training systems, while the Caribbean Examinations Council has expanded its coverage to include technical and vocational education.
Together with the University of the West Indies’ growing focus on professional certification and industry engagement, these Institutions are working to build the skilled workforce needed for the Caribbean’s future competitiveness.
Minister Parag, as you assume the Chair of this Meeting, I extend best wishes for productive deliberations. I trust that this Meeting will move us even closer to advancing policies that will strengthen our education systems and reflect our shared vision – one that values every learner, encourages partnerships among students, teachers and parents, embraces multiple pathways to success, strengthens regional integration, and equips every one of our citizens to thrive in an increasingly dynamic world.
It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to these important deliberations. Thank you very much for listening.
(The author is the Secretary General of the CARICOM)
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