Minister for Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training, and National Excellence of Dominica

The Minister for Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training, and National Excellence in Dominica plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s educational landscape and workforce development strategies. This position encompasses oversight of primary, secondary, and tertiary education and vocational training programs aimed at equipping citizens with practical skills for the evolving job market.

Core Responsibilities of the Minister for Education

The minister’s primary responsibilities include:

• Educational Development: Overseeing the development and implementation of curricula across all educational levels to ensure relevance and quality.
• Human Resource Planning: Strategically aligning educational outputs with national workforce needs to promote economic growth.
• Vocational Training: Expanding technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs to provide alternative pathways for youth and adult learners.
• Promotion of National Excellence: Encouraging excellence in academics, arts, sports, and other areas to foster a culture of achievement.

The ministry operates various departments and units, including the Curriculum & Measurement Unit, Education Planning Unit, and School Operations Unit, each contributing to the comprehensive development of Dominica’s education sector.

Strategic Initiatives

Recent initiatives under the ministry’s purview have focused on:

• Curriculum Reform: Developing and implementing a comprehensive, inclusive, and equitable curriculum that integrates technology, life skills, TVET, arts, and resilience education.
• Special Education Needs (SEN): Enhancing support for students with special needs through individualized education plans and specialized training for educators.
• Teacher Training: Providing professional development opportunities to equip teachers with the skills necessary to deliver the updated curriculum effectively.
• Infrastructure Development: Improving educational facilities and resources to create conducive learning environments across the country.

These initiatives aim to reduce inequalities, increase inclusiveness, and improve the quality and relevance of the education system, aligning with Dominica’s National Resilience Development Strategy 2030.

Current Officeholder

As of December 17, 2019, the position is held by the Honourable Octavia Alfred, a seasoned educator and member of the Dominica Labour Party.