Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training, and National Excellence

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training, and National Excellence serves in a pivotal capacity within Dominica’s education administration. This role is focused on ensuring continuity, support, and oversight for key ministry functions, particularly during parliamentary engagements or in the absence of the Minister. The position typically supports initiatives across education policy, skills development, teacher training, and national planning in line with Dominica’s strategic development goals.

Current Appointment and Responsibilities

The current Parliamentary Secretary holding this office is Fenella Wenham. Her responsibilities include aiding in the implementation of education policy, overseeing special education programmes, and collaborating on vocational training priorities like the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). She also contributes to ongoing educational reform efforts within Dominica’s school system and supports collaboration with international partners on development assistance projects.

In addition, this position complements the operations of the Dominica TVET Council, which regulates technical and vocational education, and supports the Skills for Youth Employment (SkYE) programme, designed to address youth unemployment through practical training pathways.

Broader Ministry Mandate

The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training, and National Excellence leads national efforts in academic curriculum development, teacher recruitment and training, infrastructure improvement, and human capital development. The role of the Parliamentary Secretary is critical in helping translate national policies into community and classroom-level change, particularly through supporting school-based initiatives, promoting continuous professional development, and engaging with constituencies to identify educational needs.

The ministry also engages in strategic projects like the China-Aid Project of Schools Reconstruction in Dominica, and is integral to Dominica’s education modernization agenda. Through roles like the Parliamentary Secretary, the government enhances its responsiveness to educational challenges and ensures inclusive, forward-looking planning that benefits all learners.