The Ministry of Education began a series of stakeholder consultation and sensitization sessions on Wednesday, October 2, to garner feedback on the first draft of a new curriculum which will be fully implemented in primary schools in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and across other OECS countries.
This new curriculum, referred to as the Digital OECS Harmonized Primary Curriculum (D-OHPC), will this year be micro-piloted in 15 primary schools across SVG. The new curriculum is being developed under the OECS Programme for Educational Advancement and Relevant Learning (OECS PEARL).
Some of the benefits of the new curriculum are more emphasis on student engagement, it embraces advanced technologies and it is more accessible to all.
Education Focal Point, Aldia Gumbs- Dyer said the objectives of the stakeholder consultation and sensitization sessions are to orient parents to the new D-OHPC, to allow parents to interact with the D-OHPC, to gather feedback on the new D-OHPC for enhancement of the document and to strengthen partnership among stakeholders.
She said the D-OHPC will be crucial for ensuring that primary school students in SVG receive the best possible learning experience, preparing them for further learning and living.
Gumbs-Dyer pointed out that: “Time has changed and because of that they recognize that the education system cannot stay the same.” She noted that it must be revamped to meet the current needs of the students.
Providing an update on the D-OHPC, the Education Focal Point noted they have consulted with stakeholders, trained curriculum writers and have begun writing/drafting the new curriculum. She noted that some seventy-six (76) people from across the region were trained by the University of the West Indies to develop the skills to draft the new curriculum.
Gumbs-Dyer noted that in September 2025, all of the schools will be brought on board to work with the curriculum, then the document will be finalized and will be implemented in all primary schools in September 2026.The current curriculum was implemented 17 years ago.