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. It includes ‘private education institutions,’ ‘assisted private education institutions,’ and ‘denominational schools’ within the education system. The 2002 Education Act (as amended in 2012), defines a ‘private education institution’ 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’ as a private educational institution or school which receives some material assistance in money, goods, or services from the Government. A ‘denominational school’ means an educational institution established and managed by a religious denomination and may be private when it is wholly financed by a religious denomination and dos not receive any substantial assistance from public funds or ‘public’ when it does receive substantial assistance from public funds and to which the general public has access without any conditions other than those imposed by the Act.
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 but provided by ‘assisted-private schools.’ Assisted-private schools are educational institutions managed by non-state actors (in the case of Grenada mainly by denominational organizations) but financed by the state and accounted as ‘public schools’ in the National Education Statistics. The state-owned and managed public schools account for 22% in primary education and 37% in secondary education. According to the 2002 Education Act (as amended in 2012), education in Grenada is free and compulsory from ages 5 through 16, including grades from primary to upper secondary.
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 must also follow the national curriculum and apply for authorization to operate.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Assisted private education is the predominant education provision in Grenada. These schools are privately owned educational institutions with a pre-established agreement between the institution and the government. Most of the 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 the regulations as public schools. ‘Denominational Schools’ have more flexibility regarding the curriculum. Government assistance can be provided for building maintenance, furniture, equipment, salary payments, or any other purpose approved by the Minister.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
Homeschool in Grenada is legal. According to the 2002 Education Act, parents or tutors of children of compulsory school age may choose public schools, private schools, assisted private schools, or home education for their children'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 the education plan for each student, assuring compliance with the conditions stated in the Act (Sect. 113). Students on home education may access public or assisted schools' facilities and equipment on payment of a prescribed fee and under prescribed conditions. The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information develop a platform, 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 Resources Development, Religious Affairs and Information is the highest authority in education for all education levels from pre-primary to tertiary education. According to the Education Act, non-state actors are supervised by the Chief of Education Officer. Tertiary education is under the responsibility of the Tertiary Education Skills Development & Education Outreach within the Ministry of Education, Human Resources Development, Religious Affairs & Information and the Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB) in charge of registration and accreditation of tertiary education institutions.
Vision: Grenada's education system is highly influenced by the Educational Strategies of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and their initiative for member states to align their regional educational strategies. The Strategic Plan for Educational Enhancement and Development 2006-15 (SPEED II) provided a roadmap for the development of education in Grenada during a ten years period. One of the key areas focused on enhancing partnership and co-operation and working closely with the local private sector, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and regional and international agencies.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
In Grenada, early childhood care and education (ECCE) is provided by state and non-state actors, including church-assisted institutions and private centers. Most EECE is provided by public and private-assisted institutions. According to the 2002 Education Act (amended 2012) and the 2014 Education (Early Childhood Education Services) Regulations, Early Childhood Care and Education cover children below ages five.
Registration and approval: The 2012 Education (Early Childhood Education Services) Regulations dictate the prescribed documentation required for the application and infrastructure for all facilities offering ECD services in Grenada. Regarding infrastructure, all ECD centers must comply with the appropriate spaces according to age; from birth to two years: forty square feet of space, from two to three years: thirty square feet of space and from ages three to five: twenty-five feet of space. The legislation also includes infrastructure requirements such as building infrastructure, ceilings, rest area, and the number of sanitary services according to the number of children attending the center. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: Proprietors wishing to establish more than one ECD services facility 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 must previously approve private ECCE center curricula. All ECCE centers must include within their curricula environmental education to encourage Grenada's natural environment preservation.
Teaching profession: According to the 2014 Education (Early Childhood Education Services) Regulations, every ECCE center staff member must hold an early childhood education training certificate by an institution approved by the Ministry or some equivalent qualification. Aid, volunteer, or prospective staff must also comply with the requirements stated by law. Additionally, all principals are required to complete a course in management and supervision of schools. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Fee-setting: According to the Education Act ECD service facilities may charge a reasonable fee. No further regulations were found regarding the setting or regulation on private provides fees.
Admission selection and processes: For a child to be admitted to a private ECD center, parents and/or guardians must provide the center with information regarding the child’s full name, address, date of birth, sex, name of parent or guardian, a statement relating to the child’s general health and well-being based on medical reports, child’s immunization particulars with the required immunization, emergency contact person, contact of the medical practitioner who attends the child, name of the person authorized to pick up the child and birth certificate to be completed and completed under the Admission Register. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Policies for vulnerable groups: The Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP) is an informal, home-based intervention programme that aims to reach children (aged from birth to three years) who do not have any formal early childhood development services. Typically, these children live in disadvantaged conditions, often in remote rural communities and 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, which includes attainment targets, programmes of study and assessment arrangements. In addition, the Minister is allowed to make regulations on the suitability of 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. The Education Act establishes that corporal punishment is lawful in state schools when followed by the prescribed regulations and guidelines.
Other safety measures and COVID-19: As all schools transitioned to distance learning during COVID-19, Grenada, in alliance with the OECS, The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), developed the OECS Education Sector Response and Recovery Strategy to COVID-19 complemented with several initiatives to mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus in the OECS Education System.
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 as amended in 2012, assisted private schools must be managed by a Board of Management, with the prescribed requisites regarding appointees both from the government, institution, parents, and students. Private education institutions have autonomy regarding selecting their management structure.
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 the Ministries of Education throughout the region in order to assess education across the region.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
The Registry of Recognized Institutions currently includes five institutions of higher education in Grenada, both public and private.
Registration and approval: According to the Accreditation Act (2011), all higher education institutions, national, international, or distance programs, must be registered and accredited to operate in Grenada. Providers must first be registered by the Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB) to apply for Accreditation. HEIs Provides must submit their accreditation application to the Board accompanied with the prescribed fee and documentation. International HEIs, which are not accredited by a CARICOM member state, must pre-apply to receive an invitation to apply. Once the invitation is granted, providers must submit the required documentation. The Board may request information regarding infrastructure based on the projection of student enrolment, staff size, provision for classrooms, laboratories, and offices. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: Upon accreditation and fee payments, HEIs will be provided with a Grenada Standard Mark to stamp the certificates provided by the accredited institution. An accreditation certificate will be provided for no longer than five years after the institutions can apply for a re-accreditation process. 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 in Grenada 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 by 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: No information was found on the requirements of the structural organizational of the institution. However, institutions must submit their organisational structure to the Board.
Reporting requirements: The Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB) is responsible for the quality assurance of HEIS in Grenada. Accreditation is a compulsory requirement for every provider who intends to operate an HEIs.
Inspection: Any Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB) member or an authorized person may enter the HEI premises to inspect the programme or institution's compliance with the accreditation criteria.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: Institutions of higher education that have been granted recognition and accredited by the National Board of education and provided with a Grenada Standard Mark may award certificates to the students on the competition of the academic studies.
Sanctions: When in the opinion of the Grenada National Accreditation Board (GNAB), any provider breaches any of the conditions of the certificate of accreditation, the Board may revoke any accreditation certificate or recommend to the Minister that the institution shall be penalized or closed permanently. Any institution that operates without accreditation is liable upon conviction to a fine.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
This section covers regulations on the establishment, operation, and quality of non-state institutions early childhood education 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 open an educational institution in Grenada must apply for an operating permit at 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 will be issued based on the Minister’s satisfaction with adequate 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 for the establishment has been granted, educational institutions will be given an operating permit with a validity of three years. Institutions must re-apply for renewal; upon renewal, a permit may be issued with a longer or shorter period based on compliance with the requirements for operation. All private educational institutions must be registered in the Private Education Institutions Register.
Assisted Private Educational Institutions must be registered as private educational institutions for the agreement to have validity. The terms and specific years are established in the agreement established between the government and the private educational institution
Taxes and subsidies: According to Grenada’s Investment Incentives Guide, Education and Training institutions, including schools and universities, are eligible for investment allowance, carry forward of losses, a tax credit for training, VAT, and property transfer tax. Non-profit institutions do not qualify for this type of exemption; however, they are under the incentives of non-profit organizations. From early childhood education to secondary education, private educational institutions may apply to become an assisted private education institution and receive subsidies from the state.
Quality of teaching and learning
Teaching profession: Private Education Institutions must submit annually the names and qualifications of the staff members. Teachers employed in a private education institution must possess at least the minimum qualifications required of a teacher employed in an equivalent public educational institution. If a person does not possess the minimum qualifications, the Chief Education Officer may declare the person unfit for employment as a teacher in a private educational institution.
Admission selection and processes: According to the 2002 Education Act, no person eligible for admission to an educational institution as a student may be refused admission on any discriminatory ground relating to the student or a parent o tutor of the student. Assisted private schools must follow the same rules as public education institutions. Educational institutions are not allowed to refuse admission to any student base on discriminatory grounds such as race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, physical handicap, or sex in the case of mixed-gender schools.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Inspection: The Minister or the Chief Education Officer may authorize a person to enter any ECD center, private or assisted school to inspect the facilities to verify the compliance with the regulations.
Sanctions: When in the minister's opinion, an educational institution has ceased to comply with the requirements prescribed by the 2002 Education Act or its regulations, the operating permit can be revoked or cancelled. In the case an education institution operates without authorization, it is 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.
