EDUCATION PLANNING

Definition: The Education Planning Department is the Government Department entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the efficient delivery of sustainable and quality education throughout the education system. This system consists of preschools, primary and secondary schools and tertiary level institutions.

Functions of the Education Planning Department: Without a functioning Education Department, the process of education will not make the desirable strides a country deserves. This is against the background of the nature of the services that are rendered. These services include, but are not limited to:
- detailed planning for the provision of accommodation needs at each level of the education system,
- annual participation in budget preparation for each sector of the education system,
- fashioning proposals for capital investment,
- developing systems and procedures for effective delivery of school programs,
- engagement in the formulation of policies/initiatives,
- assessing and prioritizing the training needs of the education system,
- conducting research as a means of improving the quality of education and teacher training in the education system where necessary.

In November of 2007 a committee of competent professionals was formed to facilitate the education planning Process. The committee was later named the EPAC (Education Planners Advisory Committee). On 19th February the EPAC made a courtesy visit to Minister Condor, also present was the Permanent Secretary Mr. O Petty. The Members of the original EPAC Committee are - Ms. Jennifer Palmer Crawford, Ms. Clarice Cotton, Mrs. Jeanette Maitland, Mrs Carlene Morton, Mr. Freddy Knight, Mr. Calwyn Morton, Mr. Ian Gregory Morson, Mr. Steve Laplace and Mr. Quinton Morton. Mr. Laplace was not able to make it for the visit to the Minister. To give a brief background on the EPAC: "The committee was deemed necessary to assist me in enhancing our education system in my capacity as Education Planner. You would know that I am very 'techie' and thus may have solutions that tend to be more technologically oriented. The committee brings together individuals with varied experiences and a passion to enhance the education process. It is hoped that this committee will help me to have a more balanced perspective on our education system and so provide practical means of addressing the many issues that we face. The hope is to continue to build on the strengths that we have in education and support the weak areas. The EPAC's focus for this year is to "Facilitate Efficient Communication and Collaboration in the Ministry of Education". This is a focus that was chosen as we believe that we can do much more to improve communication and collaboration within our ministry and to the community at large. Research supports that the process of education is most effective and efficient when all stakeholders are involved: When the community (Church, Private sector Parents, Teachers, Youths, Adults) are involved they are more likely to embrace and support our efforts at the ministry."

Mr. Quinton Morton is the Director of Education Planning or the Education Planner.

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