Education

The Government of Montserrat has demonstrated seriousness in providing support to children with special needs. The Ministry of Education’s budget has been supplemented with $300,000 to set up a special Education Unit. Premier and Minister for Finance, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade says there are children here who are suffering because they lack support.

Primary schools island wide have welcomed another timely donation of educational resources, aimed at supporting diverse learning needs among students on Montserrat. Ikesha Irish, who is of Montserratian heritage, said the collection of materials was designed to promote curiosity, literacy, and foundational skills among children. The donation includes numeracy and sensory tools, literacy and phonics materials, interactive learning equipment, and other resources intended to assist students at different learning levels. Principals from the island’s primary schools welcomed the contribution and expressed appreciation for the donation, noting that the materials will enhance the teaching and learning environment and benefit students in their classrooms. Director of Education, Dr Gregory Julius also thanked Irish for the initiative, highlighting the importance of such resources, particularly for students with special educational needs.

Montserrat will be represented at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Conference and Ministerial Forum on Learning in the Digital Age later this month. Education Officer, Curriculum and Examinations and Local CXC Registrar, Althea Allen, will join over 300 education stakeholders from across the Caribbean, including Ministers of Education, in Jamaica from March 16-19. Both events, originally set for October 2025 on Jamaica’s north coast, were disrupted by the passage of Hurricane Melissa. CXC’s Director of Operations Dr Nicole Manning, says the conference is designed to deepen regional collaboration on how best to navigate the prevailing digital environment for greater learning outcomes in the Caribbean. In the meantime, Pro-Registrar and Deputy CEO of CXC, Dr. Eduardo Ali, who is spearheading the organizing of the Ministerial Forum, also pointed to CXC’s ongoing work with regional employers to plan for future educational needs and skills for the region under its Skills and Employability Signaling System for CXC Qualifications Development. The CXC will sign a landmark Partnership Engagement Agreement (PEA) with the Consortium of Caribbean employer groups at the Ministerial Forum. The inaugural CXC Regional Education Conference and Ministerial Forum has been endorsed by Senator Dr., the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, Minister for Education, Skills, Youth And Information, who will be a keynote speaker during the four days of meetings. Among the featured speakers and presenters at the CXC Conference and Ministerial Forum will be Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the Chairman of CXC and Deputy Chair of Council, Dr Marcia Potter, Dr Wayne Wesley, CXC Registrar, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Vice Chancellor, University of Guyana, Dr Luz Longsworth, Senior Corporate Director, Sandals Corporate University and former Principal and Pro-Vice Chancellor, UWI Global Campus, Ms Alison Drayton, Assistant Secretary General- Human and Social Development, CARICOM, and from the Commonwealth of Learning, Professor Peter Scott, President and CEO and members of his team.

The Montserrat Union of Teachers (MUT) successfully hosted its Biennial Convention, the first in over 5 years, on Friday, November 7, culminating with the election of a new Executive. The convention was held at the Brades Arts and Education Centre and focused on empowerment of teachers through multiple sessions, including the importance of trade unions and the rights of workers, which was conducted by Honourable Nyota Mulcare; a Financial Health discussion with members of the St. Patricks Co-operative Credit Union on services that teachers could benefit from. A session on Psychological Wellbeing was conducted by Lester Ryan, and a session entitled Let’s Talk, facilitated by Minister of Education, Dr. the Honourable Ingrid Buffonge. The meeting also saw members of the newly elected Executive, President- Sis José White; Vice President- Sis Audris Jno Baptiste; Secretary- Sis Venice Jones; Treasurer- Sis Hyacinth Bramble-Browne; Assistant Secretary/Treasurer- Sis Jamilia Greenaway; PRO- Sis Lorraine Francois; Floor Members- Sis Althea Sweeney and Bro Mcloyd White The new executive extended sincere gratitude to its members for believing and trusting in them to present and advocate on their behalf, and to those who helped to make this year’s convention a memorable and successful one.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services is providing parents with an opportunity to strengthen their relationships with their teenagers through a new four-week workshop series. Titled “Bridging the Gap Between Parents and Teens,” the program is designed to help parents better understand and support their children through the often challenging adolescent years. The sessions begin this Wednesday, November 12th, at the Davy Hill Community Centre, and will continue weekly from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on November 12th, 19th, 26th, and December 3rd, 2025. The workshops will be co-facilitated by Dr. Dionne Imara and the Director of Social Services, Mrs. Teresena Fergus. Topics will include understanding the teenage brain and development, communication that works, boundaries, rules, and consequences, and fostering resilience, independence, and connection. According to the Ministry, the sessions aim to equip parents with practical tools to improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and build stronger family relationships. The program is open to all parents of teens, and interested participants can register by calling 495-3895 or 495-7491.