Didacus Jules

This policy paper seeks to address issues in BASIC EDUCATION defined as the continuum of education provision from early childhood to primary to secondary education (incorporating also technical and vocational education). Too often studies of this nature have focused on primary and secondary education and ignored the vital importance of pre-primary or early childhood education in laying the foundation for achievement in later years. Additionally, the pace of globalisation and the impact of the technological revolution have made higher education a developmental imperative and have made it necessary to redefine basic education as inclusive of secondary education. The paper therefore treats basic education as the new minimum but holistic educational standard that the region is expected to deliver to its citizens.