ICT in Education Policy and Strategy for Saint Lucia 2017–2020
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ICT in Education Policy and Strategy for Saint Lucia 2017–2020 Development of the ICT in Education Policy and Strategy for Saint Lucia 2017–2020 was facilitated by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada. COL is an intergovernmental organisation created by the Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. iv Table of Contents Foreword by the Minister............................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................ v Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... vi Introduction and Policy Context ..................................................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 1 Policy Context ............................................................................................................................. 2 Regional and International Forces .......................................................................................... 2 National Forces ....................................................................................................................... 3 ICT Potential in Education...................................................................................................... 3 Status of ICTE......................................................................................................................... 4 Issues for ICT Integration in Education .................................................................................. 5 The 2015–2020 Strategic Educational Priorities .................................................................... 6 The Policy Success Model .............................................................................................................. 7 Guiding Philosophy for ICTE ..................................................................................................... 7 Vision .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Mission ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Values/Principles ........................................................................................................................ 9 The Strategic Framework .............................................................................................................. 10 Policy Priority Areas ................................................................................................................. 10 Strategic PPAs ...................................................................................................................... 10 Enablers................................................................................................................................. 12 The Policy Strategy Map .......................................................................................................... 14 Strategic Policy Results ................................................................................................................ 16 Gender Equity ........................................................................................................................... 16 Student Success: Special Needs Learners ................................................................................. 17 Student Success: STEM Disciplines ......................................................................................... 18 Student Success: Early Childhood Education ........................................................................... 19 Student Success: TVET and Lifelong Learning ....................................................................... 20 Affordable, Accessible Quality Education for All .................................................................... 21 Community Development ......................................................................................................... 22 Enabling Policy Results ................................................................................................................ 23 Infrastructure and Connectivity ................................................................................................ 23 Teaching, Learning and Assessment ......................................................................................... 25 Management and Administration .............................................................................................. 26 Human Resources and Capacity Building ................................................................................ 26 OER, ODL and Licensing ......................................................................................................... 28 Governance of ICT ................................................................................................................... 29 Digital Citizenship .................................................................................................................... 30 i e-Waste ..................................................................................................................................... 30 Strategic Alliances/Partnerships ............................................................................................... 31 Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................................... 31 Implementation Plan ..................................................................................................................... 33 Critical Resources and Investments .......................................................................................... 33 References ..................................................................................................................................... 36 ii Foreword by the Minister iii Acknowledgements The development of the ICT in Education Policy and Strategy for Saint Lucia 2017–2020 would not have been possible without the support of several individuals and organisations. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) led the process with the support of a consultant, who actively engaged with the various stakeholders in the country to prepare the draft policy. Dr. Harvey Millar served as consultant for this project and prepared the draft policy under the guidance of Dr. Sanjaya Mishra, Education Specialist, eLearning at COL. Mr. Germain Anthony, Focal Point for COL, facilitated the collection of data and co-ordinated the stakeholder consultations and the national consultation workshop on the draft policy. We would like to thank all those who participated in the surveys and the various consultations; without their responses and participation, this policy would not have been possible. We would also like to thank those in the Ministry of Education who provided technical and administrative support to the project. iv Acronyms CCTI Commonwealth Certificate for Teachers CFT Computer Framework for Teachers COL Commonwealth of Learning CSEC Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate CXC Caribbean Examinations Council ECE Early Childhood Education EMIS Education Management Information System ESDP Education Sector Development Plan GE Gender Equity GOSL Government of Saint Lucia ICT Information and Communication Technology ICTE Information and Communication Technology in Education ISP Internet Service Provider IT Information Technology LMS Learning Management System MOE Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development NICT National ICT Centre ODL Open and Distance Learning OECS Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States OER Open Educational Resources PPA Policy Priority Area PSM Policy Success Model SALCC Sir Arthur Lewis Community College SNL Special Needs Learners STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization USF Universal Service Fund v Executive Summary This document represents the commitment of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development (MOE), Government of Saint Lucia, to have in place a strategic approach to the integration of ICT in Education (ICTE) for Saint Lucia. The development of the policy reflects a strategic partnership between the MOE and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). Over the past decade and a half, there have been several attempts at establishing an ICTE policy for Saint Lucia. Whilst draft policies have been prepared, none were fully ratified nor implemented. The challenges of policy formulation and implementation as a key concern of the MOE eventually led to an engagement with COL, which facilitated the development of the ICTE policy. The development of the policy adopted a multi-stakeholder approach. Some of the activities undertaken included: desk research; review of past