The OECS Education Statistical Digest captures statistics from early childhood through tertiary education from OECS Member States for the 2017-18 academic year. The seventh annual publication of the Digest continues to highlight the need for building an evidence base to inform education practice and policy.
Hurricanes Maria and Irma demonstrated the value of this data. In these devastating emergencies, it was crucial to have accurate counts of the number of students at each school. This ensured that the authorities made adequate provisions for students and their families to receive safe water and hygiene supplies, psycho-social support, and ultimately, to access safe learning spaces equipped with appropriate learning materials.
Information contained in the Digest can be helpful for educators, parents, policymakers, researchers and the public. It is offered digitally to be readily available and accessible to all. As with previous publications this digest presents data on a wide range of education matters related to student enrolment, education financing, teacher qualification, examination results, student drop-outs and repetition.
The data can help to serve many social, personal and business purposes. In addition to help inform and shape education policy it is the basis for monitoring the system’s progress toward the critical goal of increased education access and quality at all levels. The data is also the foundation for measuring our effort to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 of “ensure(ing) inclusive and quality education for all and promote(ing) lifelong learning”.
The Digest is the result of the hard work and commitment of a dedicated team of Statisticians and Education Planners who work closely with principals, administrators and teachers from all schools in their countries to compile the data contained herein. This group is supported by the Education Development Management Unit (EDMU) and Statistical Services Unit (SSU) at the OECS Commission. Over the years, OECS States have benefitted from the tremendous support of international partners including, UNESCO, the World Bank and UNICEF, to help build the capabilities for Education data management in the OECS. The OECS Commission extends its gratitude to all for helping to make a reality the plan to publish on an annual basis data on the education system in the OECS.
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