SECTION V: SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Secondary education plays a critical role in the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The country achieved universal access to secondary education in 2005, which has significantly increased the number of students pursuing higher education. This achievement has helped to improve the overall education level of the country and has had a positive impact on the economy by helping to produce a skilled workforce that is able to meet the demands of various industries. Moreover, secondary education provides the foundation for further studies, leading to a better understanding of academic subjects and increased employability prospects.
One of the key indicators of the importance of secondary education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the level of investment made by the government. The second-largest allocation of the national budget goes to secondary education, which highlights the government's commitment to providing quality education for all citizens. The investment in secondary education has led to improved facilities, infrastructure, and teaching quality, which in turn has created a conducive environment for learning.
Additionally, secondary education is essential for social and personal development. It provides students with the necessary skills to navigate through the complexities of life, make informed decisions, and contribute meaningfully to society. By providing a platform for socialization, secondary education promotes diversity, inclusivity, and tolerance, which are vital elements for building a strong and harmonious society as expounded in the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation’s mission statement.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has 29 secondary education institutions, with 21 being public and 8 being church-owned with government assistance. In 2021-2022, there were 9,566 secondary students enrolled with a majority attending public schools. The number of teachers increased from 799 in 2020-2021 to 803 in 2021-2022, with an increasing number of female teachers. Trained teacher proportions increased from 57.08% to 64.13% between 2015-2016 and 2021-2022, with 72.62% of trained teachers being female in 2021-2022. However, there are still concerns about students not meeting benchmarks or dropping out, with 91 students exiting prematurely in 2021-2022.