In our rapidly changing world, the classroom is critical in preparing upcoming generations for the life and work environment they will face in the future. Academic, former Minister for Education and international Consultant, Dr Gale Rigobert, shares her thoughts on, among other things:  the education system in the English-speaking Caribbean and how it has evolved; whether the brain drain the region experiences is a problem with our education system; and how technology can be effectively integrated into the Caribbean classroom to enhance learning outcomes.

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

Over the past few weeks, the results of the June 2024 sitting of the regional Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) terminal examination session were released. Generally, these examinations are critical for students in the English-speaking Caribbean to matriculate into post-secondary and tertiary education programmes. However, with the influx of computers, the internet and the need to develop the attendant skills and competencies, increasingly, concerns have been raised about whether the Caribbean education system across the board – primary, secondary and tertiary levels – is preparing students adequately for today’s workplace, and for the future of work.

To a considerable degree, the classroom is crucial for imparting knowledge and life skills to upcoming generations. Further, we know more than we ever have about the different ways in which people learn, and the role existing and emerging technologies can play. But to what degree do the teaching and learning methods in Caribbean schools incorporate those approaches to more effectively educate and equip students for the world that is unfolding?

The results of the June 2024 CXC sitting were especially poor, as “[o]nly 4.9 per cent of Caribbean students – close to 200 000 annual candidates for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams – achieved passes in five or more subjects, including Mathematics and English…” (Source: Barbados Today). Once again, advocacy groups have been agitating for governments to address longstanding issues, but it remains unclear if or when they will be tackled.

 

Introducing our guest

Dr Gale T C Rigobert

Dr. Gale Rigobert is a distinguished academic and international consultant and former Minister of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations, and Sustainable Development in Saint Lucia.  She is widely recognised for her leadership in education, advocacy for women’s rights, and championing the plight of SIDS, especially in areas such as climate change.

Throughout her career, Gail has passionately advocated for transforming education through digital technologies. She has spearheaded initiatives to modernise the educational system in Saint Lucia, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the 21st century. Her work has focused on leveraging educational technologies to enhance personalised learning experiences, improve academic outcomes, and make learning more accessible to all students.

Through her extensive experience and forward-thinking approach, Gale continues to influence the global education landscape. She champions the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to create more inclusive, equitable, and effective educational systems for the future.

Gail currently serves as Dean of Academics at the University of St. Martin. She is the Co-Founder of the AI Global South Summit, which is earmarked to take place in October 2024. She is also the CEO and principal consultant at Propel Limited. 

 

Insights into our conversation

Gail is passionate about education and technology. Further, as a former Minister of Education, educator and academic, she has had the opportunity to observe the Caribbean education system from several angles whilst also being able to compare it with that found in more developed regions.

Although Gale readily agreed that several challenges exist within the Caribbean education system, she also encouraged us to acknowledge the strides we have made as young countries with limited resources.  So although we spent some time during our conversation identifying some of the issues, it was evident that there are no quick fixes or easy answers.

Below are key questions that drove the discussion.

  1. What are Gale’s thoughts on the education system in the English-speaking Caribbean and how it has evolved?
  2. Is brain drain a problem with our education system?
  3. How can technology be effectively integrated into the Caribbean classroom to enhance learning outcomes?
  4. What is the role of teachers versus Ministries of Education in implementing e-learning modalities in the classroom?

 

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Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

 

 

Images credit: G T C Rigobert; Ron Lach (Pexels); Gerd Altmann (Pixabay); nappy (Pexels)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support:  Mayra Bonilla Lopez