Antigua and Barbuda Education Policy

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Antigua and Barbuda ICT4D National Education Policy
Date
2003
Country
Global, Antigua & Barbuda
Region
Global, Caribbean / Caribe
Policy Status

Policy adopted
Sectors
Education
Subsectors

Education: curriculum, training, instruction, assessment, support, sustainability.
Lead Organisation
Ministry of Education, Culture and Technology
Overview

This summary is part of a research project carried out between March and October 2006 in support of the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD), one of The Communication Initiative (The CI)'s partners.

Antigua and BarbudaÌs information and communication technology (ICT) in education policy is based on a model developed by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean StateÌs Educational Reform Unit, in consultation with the ministries of education of the various member states. Planning on a sub-regional level for preparation of a model ICT policy was thought to be beneficial, as it would contribute to the harmonisation of education and facilitate longer-term cooperation within the eastern Caribbean. Antigua and BarbudaÌs Ministry of Education participated in the preparation of the model ICT document, later using it as a template for the development of its national policy on ICT in education.
Contact
Ministry of Education
Antigua & Barbuda
antiguaedu@candw.ag
Policy Objectives

The mission of the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Policies and Strategies For Implementation For The Education System In Antigua & Barbuda is Ïto improve the teaching, learning and administrative processes in the education system with the use of ICT and to provide all students with the basic ICT skills that are necessary for the information age.Ó
Strategies

Curriculum, Training, and Instruction

Numerous strategies have been developed to focus on curriculum, training and instruction. They include:

* Integrating ICT into school curricula, with the goal of attainment of computer literacy for all school leavers;
* Facilitating management and planning of ICT in education, with an emphasis on identifying, recruiting, and training qualified personnel to carry out such roles;
* Attracting and retaining ICT teachers in the educational system by offering training opportunities, reduced workloads, and financial incentives;
* Recognising publicly individuals and institutions who have made significant contributions to ICT development in Antigua and Barbuda, through annual awards ceremonies;
* Ensuring that teachers, lecturers and curriculum officers at all levels of education and in all subject matters are provided with training in the integration of ICT into classrooms;
* Recruiting teachers who are computer literate;
* Using ICT to support studentsÌ attainment of literacy, numeracy, thinking and problem-solving skills;
* Addressing studentsÌ individual needs through the use of ICT;
* Encouraging students and teachers to use their creativity through the development of multimedia educational software;
* Ensuring that teachers receive appropriate training before introducing ICT into the classroom;
* Preventing access to obscene or profane material on the internet;
* Implementing information systems to strengthen education administration;
* Addressing legal and ethical issues pertaining to application of ICT as appropriate;
* Establishing the infrastructure necessary for the implementation of ICT in education;
* Working with stakeholders to set out procurement procedures and guidelines for ICT acquisition;
* Establishing protocols for identifying and evaluating software appropriate for all levels of instruction;
* Nurturing private sector-educational institution collaboration in implementing ICT;
* Establishing procedures and rules for acceptable ICT use in education;
* Adopting common standards in hardware and system architecture within the educational system;
* Assisting in the formulation of a technology plan at each individual school;
* Linking educational institutions in a secure network that can be used for administration or communication;
* Installing furniture and equipment that are ergonomically designed;
* Facilitating equal access to ICT for students;
* Adopting a standard software package for all computers within the education system;
* Assisting school leaders to undertake responsibility for ICT resources within their schools.


Assessment, Support and Sustainability of ICT Initiatives

Additional strategies have been developed to focus on assessment, support and sustainability of ICT initiatives within the education system. They include:

* Seeking out financial assistance to sustain the budget necessary for ICT systems integration;
* Partnering with stakeholders to finance the cost of investment and ongoing expenses related to the integration of ICT in education;
* Developing a decentralised network of technical support services to provide service to schools locally;
* Collaborating with educational institutions to determine the optimal configuration for instructing and learning with ICT in a variety of settings, drawing on lessons learned;
* Facilitating community ICT use and the revenue generation required to maintain equipment;
* Ensuring the relevancy of ICT in education programmes to meeting the needs of all stakeholders;
* Acting prudently in the procurement of computer systems, taking into consideration upgrading and maintenance costs;
* Minimising the cost of maintenance for ICT software and hardware used in education;
* Providing support for research and evaluation of the impact of ICT integration in education.

Source

Title: Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Policies and Strategies for Implementation for the Education System in Antigua & Barbuda
Year: 2003
Publication: Ministry of Education, Culture and Technology
Click here to download the report in PDF format.

Relevant Links:
Government of Antigua and Barbuda
Caribbean Knowledge Management Centre: Antigua and Barbuda ICT Profile
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States - Education Reform Unit website

Placed on the Communication Initiative site July 26 2006
Last Updated April 15 2008

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