The 10th meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers: Education (COM: Edu) was successfully hosted by the Commonwealth of Dominica at the State House Conference Centre during the 2 successive days that spanned 25–26 September 2025.
This session was convened under the theme of Empowered Teaching for Resilient and Inclusive Digital Education. Many attended this high-level regional education meeting, including ministers of education, permanent secretaries, directors from ministries of education, development partners, and education experts.
Youth representatives were also invited. The purpose of this significant youth participation was to ensure the meaningful integration of youth voices into the discussions. This session is part of the OECS’s continued prioritisation of one’s engagement through the OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy. The 2025 COM: Edu promoted regional policy discussions on education, fostering substantive exchanges and strategic collaboration among ministers and other education leaders in this region. The objective of this forum is to advance the transformation of education systems by aligning national efforts with the strategic priorities of the OECS Education Sector Strategy.
The 2025 COM: Edu built on the discussions from last year’s 2024 meeting, which focused on a year of active implementation by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission regarding the key decisions made. The meeting focused on acceleration and sustaining buy-in and updating the OECS Digital Learning Ecosystem. This forum further emphasises the importance of teacher training and capacity development. This gathering is, besides, reaffirming commitment to quality and inclusive education for the 21st century.
The meeting commenced with an inspiring opening ceremony. It highlighted the cultural richness offered by the Commonwealth of Dominica. When delivering remarks at this forum, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth Empowerment, Housing and Human Settlement, Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs, Social Development, Gender Affairs, Ageing and Disabilities, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Outgoing Chair of the OECS Council of Ministers: Education – Honourable Dr Geoffrey Hanley stated that
‘The current year, the theme for guidance is Empowered Teaching for Resilient and Inclusive Digital Education.’ It took into consideration the 21st-century needs of both teachers and students. Despite the challenges foreseen, so too are the opportunities. Our unique position allows us to reimagine education and invest in teacher development. This administration intends to prioritise mental health and well-being and to ensure that every child, regardless of geography, ability or socio-economic status, has access to a quality education.’
The Director General of the OECS, His Excellency Dr Didacus Jules, had said
The chosen theme captures both challenge and promise before many of us. It serves as a reminder that technology alone does not transform education. Nor does it carry the potential for transforming policies written on paper. So, emphasis remains on the failure to make real change in education, which does not originate from a lack of technical solutions. This issue arises from the tendency to treat reform as a patchwork of disconnected initiatives.
The Minister of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training, National Excellence, and the Commonwealth of Dominica and incoming Chair of the OECS Council of Ministers: Education – the Honourable Octavia Alfred – had said
‘During the past few years have we have been reminded that our education systems are only as strong as their ability to adapt. Natural disasters, pandemics, economic shocks, global and regional disruptions, a decline in patriotism among the people, and cultural penetration continue to threaten the true Caribbean identity. These challenges have tested the nations’ and their people’s resilience and revealed system vulnerabilities. Education, which is considered a bedrock of national development, must be fortified against such disruptions.
Over the course of the two-consecutive-day meeting, ministers and technical experts engaged in robust discussions on key priority areas. This discussion included the state of implementation of the OECS Education Sector Strategy (2011–2026) besides the development of the OECS Digital Learning Ecosystem (ODLE), microdentials, EMIS policy and regional education technology policy.
