The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission will host its 10th Council of Ministers: Education (COM:Edu) meeting under the chairmanship of the Honourable Octavia Alfred, Minister of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and Nation Excellence for the Commonwealth of Dominica. Minister Alfred will assume the role of incoming Chair of the Council, as the baton will be handed over by the current Chairman Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth Empowerment, Housing & Human Settlement, Ecclesiastical & Faith-Based Affairs, Social Development, Gender Affairs, Aging and Disabilities for St Kitts and Nevis.
Dominica will proudly serve as this year’s host of the high-level event scheduled to be held on the 25 – 26 September 2025.
The meeting will bring together Ministers of Education and senior education officials from across the OECS region for strategic discussions aimed at advancing the goals outlined in the OECS Education Sector Strategy (OESS) 2012–2026. Developed in response to the unique needs of Small Island Developing States, the OESS provides a roadmap for harmonised and impactful education reform across Member States.
The COM:Edu meeting will facilitate robust dialogue and knowledge exchange on shared priorities, including inclusive education, quality learning outcomes, and system-wide reform. Ministers will also engage development partners and regional agencies to deepen collaboration on education initiatives.
The 2025 Council of Ministers: Education (COM:Edu) meeting will serve as a pivotal platform for advancing the regional education agenda. Grounded in the OECS Education Sector Strategy (OESS) and the broader vision for sustainable human development across the region, the meeting will seek to:
- Advance the transformation of education systems across the OECS by aligning Member State efforts with the strategic priorities of the OESS—emphasising the modernisation of the primary curriculum, strengthening early grade assessment systems, expanding equitable access to quality early childhood education (ECE), deepening inclusive education practices, and cultivating innovation and future-ready skills for all learners.
- Accelerate and sustain the OECS Digital Learning Ecosystem through coordinated action to expand digital infrastructure, improve access to devices and connectivity, integrate high-quality digital content and platforms, and strengthen educator and learner digital competencies to enhance equity and resilience in teaching and learning.
- Strengthen strategic collaboration with regional and international development partners, fostering deeper alignment of technical expertise, financial support, and policy dialogue to drive implementation of shared education priorities and catalyse systemic change across the region.
- Facilitate structured sharing of best practices and innovations, enabling Member States to learn from each other’s successes, scale proven strategies, and foster greater harmonisation, coherence, and efficiency in addressing common educational challenges across the OECS.
As host of the 2025 COM:Edu meeting, Honourable Octavia Alfred welcomes her regional counterparts to Dominica for what promises to be a pivotal and productive event in shaping the future of education in the Eastern Caribbean.
