The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) successfully concluded its Tenth Meeting of the Council of Ministers: Education (COM: Edu) in the Commonwealth of Dominica on September 25-26, 2025. Held at the State House Conference Centre under the theme “Empowered Teaching for Resilient and Inclusive Digital Education,” the event brought together Ministers of Education, Permanent Secretaries, Directors from Ministries of Education, development partners, and education experts. Youth representatives were also included to ensure their voices were integrated into discussions, reflecting the OECS’s commitment to youth engagement through its Youth Empowerment Strategy.
The meeting focused on advancing regional education policies, fostering collaboration among education leaders, and aligning national efforts with the OECS Education Sector Strategy. Key discussions centered on accelerating the adoption of the OECS Digital Learning Ecosystem, enhancing teacher training, and promoting inclusive education for the twenty-first century. The event commenced with an opening ceremony celebrating Dominica’s cultural heritage, featuring remarks from Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis and outgoing Chair of the Council, and His Excellency Dr. Didacus Jules, OECS Director General.
Dr. Jules emphasized the need for holistic education reform, stating, “Education is not transformed by technology alone, nor by policies written on paper. Real change requires moving beyond disconnected initiatives.” Honourable Octavia Alfred, Dominica’s Minister of Education and incoming Chair, highlighted the resilience of education systems in the face of challenges such as natural disasters, pandemics, and cultural shifts.
Over two days, participants engaged in robust discussions on priority areas, including the implementation of the OECS Education Sector Strategy (2011–2026), the development of the OECS Digital Learning Ecosystem, and initiatives like microcredentials, EMIS policy, and regional education technology policy. The Council also reviewed findings from the OECS Student Census Micropilot, a groundbreaking initiative to elevate student voices in educational reform.
Key outcomes included endorsing the establishment of national and regional teaching councils, advancing teacher professionalization, and adopting the Roseau Declaration for OECS Digital Education, which addresses data management, pedagogy, and artificial intelligence. The Council also commissioned a refreshed OECS Education Sector Strategy for 2027–2037, ensuring continued progress in transforming education across the region.