
The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training
The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training is primarily responsible for the formulation of educational policies, and the administration and regulation of education programmes. In 2013, the METI was also given responsibility for national policy and programme development for Science, technology, and innovation.
The Ministry is headed politically by the Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Hon. Kay McConney.
The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training is headed at the administrative level by a Permanent Secretary and at the technical level by the Chief Education Officer. These officers are assisted by a Deputy Permanent Secretary, two Deputy Chief Education Officers and a cadre of staff at Ministry Headquarters.
Currently, the education system in Barbados caters to almost 60,000 students annually and across the system there are 136 institutions designed to cater to the diverse needs of the population.
In the context of globalisation and continued changes in information and communication technologies, the national philosophy will be to use education as a tool for national development. Education will therefore be promoted as a lifelong learning process, which seeks to produce outcomes that are culturally-based, technologically-driven, diverse and dynamic. This Ministry will also seek to inculcate in citizens an understanding of, and an appreciation for the rule of law. It is through education that individuals will be equipped with the tools necessary for the nation to continue growing as an all-embracing, cohesive society.