By Klao Bell, Education Editor 
Henry-Wilson
A WIDE cross section of stakeholders attended the fifth in the series of National Roundtable consultations on education at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston yesterday.
Attendees who including parents, educators, religious groups, civil servants, students and private sector representatives, had the opportunity to register their views on the problems and possibilities of the education sector.
Although more than 100 participants were present, many people shared similar ideas about the indicators of an advanced education system. It was felt that the literacy rate should be increased to the high 90s from 76 per cent where it now stands; teachers should be better trained, equipped and remunerated; schools should have adequate infrastructure, graduates should be competent in use and application of modern technology; and, graduates should make a meaningful contribution to the overall productive capacity of the country.
"People have been very clear about what they want of the education system. We have seen commonality of vision; we are not very far apart as a nation in what we want from education," said Marguerite Orane, workshop facilitator.
Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education, said participation in the workshops - held so far in St. Catherine, Portland and Clarendon had been good.
VARYING PERSPECTIVES
"We have heard varying perspectives which will be incorporated into the development of a national vision on education," Mrs. Henry-Wilson said.
Findings from the consultations will be submitted to the National Taskforce on Education.
One workshop activity allowed groups of four to six people seated around tables to envision how the education system should be by 2014. They were required to discuss these ideas among themselves, then share with the wider group.
"If the way we are treating with this process here at the table is an indication of how they will take the ideas going forward, then this workshop should prove to have been a useful one," said Rudyard Ellis, a representative of the Jamaica Baptist Union.
The education consultations are being held with a view to developing, "a national shared vision for education in Jamaica, building on the visions articulated in the MOEYC staff focus groups, at the strategic transformation steering team workshop and the individuals contributing via the web site; determine recommended changes required to achieve the vision; and personal commitments to ensure the transformation of education in Jamaica."
More studies
Five more consultations are to be held:
March 4 - Montego Bay, Holiday Inn Sunspree
March 5 - Kingston, Knutsford Court (for students only)
March 11 - Ocho Rios, Almond Tree Restaurant
March 12 - Mandeville, Golf View Hotel
April (date to be announced): Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston
Members of the public who wish to attend the consultations are asked to register at the regional offices of the Ministry of Education. Early attendance is also required.
Information is also available on the web site www.educateja.com
