NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
The 2002 Education Act (as amended in 2012) is Grenada's main regulatory framework for all educational institutions from pre-primary to tertiary education, including 'private education institutions', ‘assisted private education institutions,’ and ‘denominational schools’. A ‘private education institution’ is defined as an educational institution or school which is owned, managed, and financed by a trust, individual, or body and does not receive any material assistance from the Government. An ‘assisted private education institution’ is defined as a private educational institution or school which receives some material assistance in money, goods, or services from the Government. Finally, a ‘denominational school’ is an educational institution established and managed by a religious denomination. It is considered 'private' when it is wholly financed by a religious denomination and dos not receive any substantial assistance from public funds, or ‘public’ when it receives substantial assistance from public funds.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Grenada, most schools at primary (six years, beginning at age five) and secondary education (five years, beginning at age 12) are financed by the state and known as ‘assisted-private schools.’ Assisted-private schools are educational institutions managed by non-state actors (mainly denominational organisations) but financed by the state and viewed as ‘public schools’ by the government. State-owned and managed public schools account for 22% of education institutions at primary level and 37% at secondary level. According to the 2002 Education Act (as amended in 2012), education in Grenada is free and compulsory from the ages of 5 to 16 (primary to upper secondary level).
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Private schools are established, managed, and financed by private actors including individuals, legal entities, and church-based providers. These schools are required to follow the national curriculum and apply for authorisation to operate.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Most schools in Grenada are assisted private schools, which are privately owned educational institutions with a pre-established agreement between the state and the institution. Most assisted schools are managed by the church. According to the 2002 Education Act, assisted private educational institutions must be governed by a Board of Management, follow the National Curriculum, and comply with all regulations applicable to public schools. ‘Denominational Schools’ have more flexibility regarding the curriculum. Government assistance can be provided in the form of maintenance, furniture, equipment, salaries, or any other purpose approved by the Minister.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is legal in Grenada. According to the 2002 Education Act, parents/guardians of children of compulsory school age have the choice between public schools, private schools, assisted private schools, or homeschooling for their child's education. Homeschooling is regulated by the 2002 Education Act, which states that the parent or guardian must register the student with the Chief Education Officer on an annual basis and submit an education plan for each student that ensures compliance with the law (Sect. 113). Homeschooled students may access the facilities and equipment of public or assisted schools upon payment of a prescribed fee and under prescribed conditions. The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information has developed a platform, known as MSTAR, with the academic content for pre-primary, primary, and secondary levels.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
In Grenada, the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information governs all education levels, from pre-primary to tertiary education, with non-state actors supervised by the Chief of Education Officer. Tertiary education is under the responsibility of the Tertiary Education Skills Development & Education Outreach Department within the Ministry of Education, Human Resources Development, Religious Affairs & Information and the Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB), which is in charge of the registration and accreditation of tertiary education institutions.
Vision: Grenada's education system is highly influenced by the regional Educational Strategies of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The Strategic Plan for Educational Enhancement and Development 2006-15 (SPEED II) supported enhancing partnership and co-operation with the local private sector, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, and regional and international agencies.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
In Grenada, early childhood care and education (ECCE), which covers children below the age of 5, is provided by the state and non-state actors, including church-assisted institutions and private centres. Most EECE is provided by public and private-assisted institutions and regulated by the 2002 Education Act and 2014 Education (Early Childhood Education Services) Regulations.
Registration and approval: All ECCE services are required to meet the registration requirements set in the 2012 Education (Early Childhood Education Services) Regulations. These include infrastructure standards such as space requirements (according to age), buildings, ceilings, rest area, and the number of sanitary services. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: Providers wishing to establish more than one ECCE institution must apply for a separate permit for each locality. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: The Chief Education Officer approves the curriculum of private ECCE centres . All ECCE centres must include environmental education within their curricula to encourage the preservation of Grenada's natural environment.
Teaching profession: According to the 2014 Education (Early Childhood Education Services) Regulations, all staff employed in ECCE centres must have obtained an early childhood education training certificate by an institution approved by the Ministry or some equivalent qualification. Volunteers or prospective staff must also comply with the requirements stated by law. Additionally, all principals are required to complete a course in the management and supervision of schools. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Fee-setting: According to the Education Act, ECCE centres may charge a reasonable fee.
Admission selection and processes: For a child to be admitted to a private ECCE centre, parents and/or guardians must provide the centre with all the required information, including the child’s full name, address, date of birth, sex, name of parent or guardian, health statement, immunisation reports, and emergency contact person. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Policies for vulnerable groups: The Roving Caregivers Programme is an informal, home-based intervention programme that aims to reach children aged 0-3 who do not attend ECCE centres. Typically, these children live in disadvantaged areas, often in remote rural communities or deprived urban environments.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: See Multi-level regulations.
Inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Child assessment: See Multi-level regulations.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
Registration and approval: See Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All educational institutions must follow the national curriculum. The Minister may additionally regulate the curriculum, courses, and methods of instruction of private educational institutions.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: See Multi-level regulations.
Corporal punishment: No regulation on the prohibition of corporal punishment in private schools was found. According to the Education Act, corporal punishment is lawful in state schools if it complies with the prescribed regulations and guidelines.
Other safety measures and COVID-19: As all schools transitioned to distance learning during COVID-19, the OECS developed the OECS Education Sector Response and Recovery Strategy to COVID-19 in collaboration with the government of Grenada, which included several initiatives to mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: See Multi-level regulations.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: According to the 2002 Education Act, assisted private schools must be managed by a Board of Management, with members from the government, institution, parents, and students. Private education institutions have autonomy regarding the selection of their management bodies.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
School inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Student assessment: In Grenada, students are subject to the assessments developed by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), in collaboration with Ministries of Education across the region.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
The Registry of Recognised Institutions lists five higher education institutions in Grenada, both public and private.
Registration and approval: According to the 2011 Accreditation Act, all higher education institutions must be registered and accredited to operate in Grenada. Providers must first apply for registration and accreditation with the Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB). The accreditation application must then be submitted to the Board with the prescribed fee and documentation. International HEIs, which are not accredited by a CARICOM member state, must receive an invitation to apply. Once the invitation is granted, providers must submit the required documentation to the GNAB. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: Upon accreditation and payment of the prescribed fee, HEIs are provided with a Grenada Standard Mark which allows them to issue accredited certificates for 5 years, after which institutions may re-apply for accreditation. All accredited institutions must be registered in the Registry of Accredited Institutions and Programmes of Study. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: According to the Accreditation Act, all programs offered by HEIs must be previously accredited by the Board to ensure their compliance with the national frameworks and qualifications. Distance learning programs must also comply with the regulations established by the Accreditation Act and apply for accreditation with the Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB).
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: Institutions must submit their organisational structure to the Board.
Reporting requirements: The Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB) is responsible for the quality assurance of all HEIS. Accreditation is a compulsory requirement for every provider who intends to operate a HEI.
Inspection: Any GNAB member or authorised person may enter the premises of a HEI to inspect the programme or institution's compliance with the accreditation criteria.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: HEIs that have been granted recognition and accreditation by the National Board of Education and provided with a Grenada Standard Mark may award certificates to students upon the competition of their academic studies.
Sanctions: If a provider breaches any of the conditions of their certificate of accreditation, the Board may revoke their accreditation certificate or recommend that the institution be penalised or permanently closed. Any institution that operates without accreditation is liable to a fine upon conviction.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
This section covers regulations on the establishment, operation, and quality of non-state institutions from early childhood to tertiary education level. The following section is based on the 2002 Education Act.
Registration and approval: Every individual or legal entity who intends to establish an educational institution in Grenada must apply for an operating permit with the Ministry of Education, Human Resources Development, Religious Affairs and Information. According to the 2002 Education Act, providers must submit an application accompanied by the prescribed fee and required documentation. An operating permit is issued upon the Minister’s satisfaction with the institution's staff, financial resources, and premises, including the furniture, land, and accommodations according to the number of students. All private education institutions must have liability insurance to operate.
Licence: Once approval has been granted, educational institutions are provided with an operating permit which remains valid for three years, after which institutions must re-apply for renewal. All private educational institutions must be registered in the Private Education Institutions Register.
Assisted Private Educational Institutions must be registered as private educational institutions, with terms and conditions established within the agreement between the state and the institution.
Taxes and subsidies: According to Grenada’s Investment Incentives Guide, schools and universities are eligible for investment allowance, VAT, and property transfer tax. Non-profit institutions do not qualify for these exemptions, but are included in the provisions related to non-profit organisations. From early childhood to secondary level, private educational institutions may apply to become assisted institutions and receive subsidies from the state.
Quality of teaching and learning
Teaching profession: Private Education Institutions are required to submit the names and qualifications of their staff members to the Minister on an annual basis. Teachers employed in private education institutions must possess at least the minimum qualifications required of teachers in equivalent public institutions. If a teacher does not possess the minimum qualifications, the Chief Education Officer may declare them unfit for employment as a teacher at a private educational institution.
Admission selection and processes: According to the 2002 Education Act, no person eligible for admission as a student may be refused admission on any discriminatory ground relating to the student or their parent/guardian. Educational institutions are not allowed to refuse admission to any student based on discriminatory grounds such as race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, physical handicap, or sex in the case of mixed-gender schools. Assisted private schools must follow the same admissions rules as public education institutions.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Inspection: The Minister or Chief Education Officer may authorise a person to enter any ECCE centre, private or assisted school to inspect the facilities and verify their compliance with the regulations.
Sanctions: If an educational institution ceases to comply with the requirements prescribed in the 2002 Education Act, their operating permit may be revoked or cancelled. Education institutions that operate without authorisation are subject to fines or imprisonment.
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
