The Ministry of Education has successfully concluded its National Consultation to review the Strategic Plan for Educational Enhancement and Development (SPEED). Prior to the National Consultation, held on May 17-19 at the Fox Inn Hotel, consultations were held with all stakeholders. Ministry of Education officials met with Trade Union Councils, Student Councils, Church boards, NGO’s, Community Groups, Parents and Students. The Ministry of Education as part of its effort to ensure maximum contribution designated the Week May 9-13 as Parish Consultation Week. Ministry officials held consultations in every parish seeking to get input from a very wide cross section of the community. Addressing the Opening Ceremony of the National Consultation, Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Honorable Keith Mitchell, reiterated his commitment to the Education system. He spoke of the need for churches to become more actively involved in the education of the nation’s children. He said this was necessary for the development of the society as a whole and was one of the ways in which moral decay can be tackled. The Prime Minister said that one of the goals of his government is to develop Grenada into a “Knowledge Based Society.” He stated that this allows for the flexibility necessary to adapt to world changing economic conditions. The Prime Minister also commended the Ministry of Education for initiating such an important forum, and encouraged all in attendance to contribute towards the development of the education system and Grenada. The purpose of The Strategic Plan for Education Enhancement and Development (SPEED) is to develop a learning society through effective enhancement of Grenada’s human resource. This will be achieved by ensuring that all children participate meaningfully and successfully in the education process and that those young people and adults, who have previously been excluded, receive other opportunities to develop themselves consistent with the ideals of human dignity, human endeavor and achievement. Therefore, the strategic plan is designed to ensure that all learners gain the necessary knowledge, master the necessary skills, and acquire the necessary attitudes for them to become responsible members of civil society. This is inline with Government’s commitment to turn the first decade of the 21st century into the knowledge enhancement decade. The scheduled consultation sought not just to review the existing plan, but was designed to obtain maximum participation from a wide cross section of the community, in an effort to encourage new ideas and approaches. Source: Ministry of Education