Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald reminded educators attending the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Ministers that they will prepare for the future of education, as they focus on the post-2015 education agenda.
“The reality is that today, we are preparing for what we will encounter in 2020, 2025 and 2030,” Fitzgerald said during the 19CCEM Stakeholders’ Forum, held at the Atlantis resort yesterday.
He urged the educators and stakeholders to reflect on how different the world is today than it was 15 years ago.
“Consider the advances in technology alone, and one can only imagine what we will be presented with 15 years from now,” Fitzgerald said.
“This is a reminder that we must be progressive in our thinking and our approach. We must possess foresight and plan with purpose, knowing that the needs of our global education community, especially within the Commonwealth, will have changed tremendously.”
The Stakeholders’ Forum provided a unique, multi-sector platform for leading educationalist to establish priority areas for Commonwealth education policy and development for practical delivery.
According to Fitzgerald, delivery of information to a learner is a key component to the learning process, as it requires an in-depth understanding of the multiple styles of student learners.
The learning process also finds creative and innovative ways through systems of delivery, to ensure that a child’s learning needs are met.
The minister of education also noted that in order to eradicate the obstacles that prevent the delivery of quality education, equity and inclusion, quality and learning outcomes and lifelong learning, as well as partnerships for performance, paths and productivity, educators must unify their efforts as members of the Commonwealth.
“We must make the commitment to deliver quality education for all, no matter where they are in our global community,” Fitzgerald said.
“We must be especially concerned for the education of those for whom education may have been inaccessible. I speak of youth and adults, girls and women, those who live in conflict-affected areas and who face physical and mental challenges.”
He explained that the educational systems in Commonwealth countries should be about empowering citizens and providing them with the opportunity to participate in the sustainable development of their countries.
“Our citizens need to be prepared for a career choice best suited to their strengths and one that will allow them to be self-sufficient, contributing members of our society,” Fitzgerald added.
“As stakeholders, you have the power to influence this development. Let us work together with one common goal, for the betterment of one Commonwealth.”
