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 2006 Education Act regulates all education levels from pre-primary to tertiary education and includes ‘public schools,’ ‘private assisted schools,’ and ‘private schools’ as educational providers within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. According to the Education Act (2006), a ‘private school’ is defined as ‘an educational institution owned, managed, and financed by a trust, individual, or body and does not receive any government assistance’ and may be established by an individual, partnership, or legal entity may establish a non-state educational institution with prior state authorization. An ‘assisted private school” is defined as a private educational institution or private school receiving state assistance.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, most primary (six years beginning at age five) and secondary education (four years beginning at age 12) is provided by public schools – 89% and 70% respectively. Free and compulsory education covers children ages four to sixteen. According to the 2006 Education Act, students at a public school may be charged for books, specialized services, and other items as the Minister may specify by notice published in the Gazette. According to the Statistical Digest 2018-29, the OECS Education Support Project financed by the Global Partnership for education is currently being implemented in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in four islands at the primary level. The project’s key objectives include teacher training, strengthening school leadership, and supporting monitoring and evaluation practices.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
In the academic year 2018-19 private enrolments accounted for 11% in private primary education institutions and 29% in private secondary education of national enrolment. Most private educational institutions receive some type of government assistance; however, the national statistics make no distinction between which one receives assistance and which does not, encompassing both into the ‘private school’ category.
Independent, non-state schools
Private schools are established, managed, and financed by private proprietors, including individuals or legal persons such as partnerships, NGOs, denominational organizations, enterprises, and others. Private schools can establish their curricula and learning plans and charge a tuition fee.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Assisted private schools are established through an agreement between the educational institution and the state for a specific time when the private school benefits from government assistance. An assisted private school must operate as a 'state school’ which means following the same admission policies as public schools, establish a management board as its governance body, cannot charge tuition fees (only in the case set by the state exemptions), utilize the textbooks prescribe by the Minister and follow the national curricula; however, denominational schools’ benefit from some flexibility to modify and implement their curricula. State assistance can be provided in financial and/or no-financial aid such as school maintenance, equipment provision, facilities construction or renovations, staff salaries, or any other purpose approved by the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation (MoENR). Currently, these types of schools are primarily denominational schools which are those established and managed by a denominational organization.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
The Education Act (2006) allows parents or guardians to provide their child’s education themselves through distance learning or homeschooling. Thus, it specifies that parents or tutors must register their child annually with the Chief Education Officer and submit their educational plan following the required conditions established by Law. During COVID-19, further homeschool protocols and Home School Agreement were implemented and distributed by the government to ensure all children continue their formal education.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
The Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation (MoENR) is responsible for setting the national educational standards and regulations at all education levels. Although it oversees the entire educational system, the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation (MoENR) has specific departments within its structure according to the educational level. Early childhood Care and Education is under the Early Childhood Education Department. The National Accreditation Board (NAB) section supervises higher education.
Vision: As a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the OECS Education Sector Strategy 2012 to 2021 promotes the unification of all its members' education legal frameworks and sets the direction of their education sector. To achieve universal access to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), the state partnered with private institutions. The 2006 Education Act dictates that the parent or tutor of a child of compulsory age may choose for his or her education in a public school, a private school, and assisted private school, or home education.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
Most early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is provided by non-state ECCE centers operated by church organizations, non-governmental organizations, community groups, and private initiatives. Also, substantial support has been given to new initiatives to reach rural children and families that cannot afford day-care centers to introduce and train parents in appropriate child-care practices in partnership with international organizations and the state.
ECCE centers are categorized into day care centers (covering children younger than three) and preschool centers (covering children ages three to five). Preschool centers are governed by the 2006 Education Act and some regulations for this education level are included in the section on Multi-level regulations. In the academic year 2018-19 out of 128 early childhood centers 117 were privately operated.
Registration and approval: For a private proprietor to establish and operate a day care center or preschool institutions certain requirements set by the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation must be attained. All proprietors must apply at the Early Childhood Education Department for approval and comply with the minimum requirements, including financial resources, proper infrastructure and equipment according to age and number of students, qualified professionals, and the certificate of inspection from the Public Health Department. Applications must include the number of rooms and square meters, number of toilets and type of building or facility.
Licence: No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the Education Statistical Digest (2018-2019), the state provides non-state ECE centers with various subsidies, including an annual subvention to all privately operated ECE centers with an enrolment of fifteen or more students in addition to assistance to upgrade the physical environment to increase universal access to early childhood education.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: According to the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation, daycare centers must include an age-appropriate programme designed to meet the holistic development of the children attending the facility.
Teaching profession: Day care centers must set an employment policy for staff. Additionally, the center's staff must be professionally qualified to develop and implement the integrated programme for the whole child. The VINSAVE Early Childhood Training Programme in partnership with the state is provided by a non-profit organization that has implemented training programs to develop the necessary skills and knowledge for working with young children and child development centers for over 40 years in the Caribbean island for both child centers personnel and parents or tutors.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: ECCE centers must establish an admission policy for children’s enrolment and a Parent’s Handbook. For more information, see Multi-level regulations (Policies for vulnerable groups): The ECCE policy aims to provide all preschool children access to early childhood education at minimal or no cost to parents. Cost reduction and improved access are of even more significance for those children residing in disadvantaged communities who would otherwise be unable to access early childhood services (Education Statistical Digest. 2018-19).
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: ECCE centers are under the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation supervision, which may conduct inspections to assess the centers' compliance and adequate provision of care.
Child assessment: No information was found.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
Registration and approval: To establish and operate a non-state educational institution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, all providers must apply for authorization to the Chief of Education at the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation (MoENR). The 2006 Education Act specifies that authorization is granted based on the institution's compliance with the minimum requirements, including possession of a general liability insurance policy and compliance with the safety and infrastructure requirements. Regarding infrastructure, all schools must follow the Safety School Act, and the 2015 OECS Building Code Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Montserrat, which specifies the guidelines for school construction and safety, including the occupancy in classrooms, auditoriums, school libraries, gymnasium, and dining rooms sq. ft. per person. The Ministry of Housing, Informal Human Settlements, Land and Surveys, and Physical Planning is in charge of the safety and supervision of public and private schools' facilities to ensure that buildings follow the pre-established standards and guidelines.
Based on the application and verifying visit, the Minister determines maximum student enrolment capacity for the particular educational institution. An application permit can be refused when the proprietor, principal, or staff member has been convicted of any sexual offence.
Licence: Upon authorization and the payment of the prescribed fee, a permit will be issued for three years. Institutions may apply for a permit renewal for three years by complying with the renewal requirements and paying a prescribed fee. Every permit will include the institution’s basic information such as name, location, educational services, number of students, and staff. The Chief of Education must keep a Private Educational Institutions and Private Schools Register with all the registered private educational institutions and private schools authorized in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): All private schools must comply with the Safety School Act and comply with the same health and sanitary requirements as those required for public and private assisted schools.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: Assisted private schools must follow the national curriculum, however, those managed by denominational entities (assisted denominational schools) may include specific curricula with religious orientation. Private schools can design their curricula based on their learning objectives, standards, and pedagogical views. According to the Education Act (2006), the Minister may make regulations on the curriculum's suitability, courses, and instruction methods.
Textbooks and learning materials: Assisted private schools, except those managed by religious denomination, must use the prescribed list of textbooks to ensure conformity with the national standards of education.
Teaching profession: See Multi-level regulations.
Corporal punishment: No prohibition of corporal punishment was found. Although not applicable for private schools, the 2006 Education Act allows for public and private assisted schools to discipline students through corporal punishments following the regulations set by the act and the MoENR
Other safety measures and COVID-19: No information was found.
Fee-setting: Assisted private schools may not charge tuition fees, except students who are not a citizen of a Member State of CARICO or a Commonwealth country who will be charged a tuition fee as established by the Minister and published in the Gazette (Education Act 2006).
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 Education Act, private schools may appoint a board of management, a Parent-Teacher Associations or Schools committees within the school structure and for its management, although it is not mandatory. In contrast, assisted schools must organize a board of management as the governing body, including the school, academic staff, Parent-Teacher Association, and two members nominated by the Minister.
Reporting requirements: The Education Act (2006) dictates that all private schools must inform the MoENR about their staff members' names and qualifications annually and inform the MoENR of any relevant institutional modifications.
School inspection: The MoENR may authorize inspections of the private education premises during school hours to make inquiries and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the Law's requirements to operate an educational institution.
Student assessment: The Examination and Assessment Unit, within the MoENR, is responsible for coordinating the assessment in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. There are two national assessments; the Common Entrance Examination, a diagnostic examination implemented to sixth-grade students, and the School Leaving Examination. Furthermore, external examinations are implemented, such as the Caribbean Examination Council, every two years.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
In 2021 there were nine higher institutions registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Accreditation Board (NAB), including four private and international universities for medicine, two religious institutions of higher education, a technical center, and two national institutions of higher education.
Registration and approval: All post-secondary and tertiary educational institutions must submit an Application for Registration of Institutions to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) to operate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. All proprietors must demonstrate their ability to provide students with proper academic supervision, adequate physical and learning resources, appropriate support services and must comply with minimum requirements such as qualified staff, safe and adequate accommodations, learning resources and financial statements. The preestablished fee must accompany every application. Institutions of higher education that hold an accreditation status from a regional or international body may apply for recognition.
Licence: Registration will be granted for one or three years, subject to yearly renewal.
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 Guidelines for Registration (2020), educational programmes at institutions of higher education must be consistent with the provider’s mission, well-developed procedures for modification to the curricula, up-to-date information on all its programmes of study with information on the related awards an associated credit course and clear mechanisms of developing and monitoring education and training standards.
Teaching profession: The Academic staff must possess professional qualifications at least one level higher than the level being taught.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: According to the Guidelines for Registration (2020), all institutions must develop and publish their admission policies which must be compatible with their stated institutional purpose.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: An institution must organize a governance structure in charge of formulating general policies and exercising authority over the implementation of its education and training programs. No further clarification on how the governance structure should be composed was found.
Reporting requirements: A Registered Institution is required to submit a Registered Institution Annual Report (RIAR) to the Board no later than two (2) months after the anniversary date of its registration. The RIAR is an official record of changes that have occurred during the reporting period with respect to the evidence submitted by the institution in fulfillment of the Criteria for Registration. Registered institutions of higher education must re-apply yearly for re-registration. During the re-registration process, institutions must demonstrate the continuance compliance of the requirements for registration. If registration is granted for three (3) years, an annual report must be submitted to the National Accreditation Board (NAB).
Inspection: No information was found.
Assessment: Every provider must establish appropriate evaluation processes for students to comply with to attain an academic award (certificate, diploma, degree, etc.), which must be clarified during the institution's registration process.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: The National Accreditation Board (NAB) can deregister or solicit the closure of an institution that does not comply with the Further and Higher Education (Accreditation) Act or any other NAB requirements. Additionally, failure to submit the Registered Institution Annual Report (RIAR) may result in sanction or adverse action by the Board. Adverse action can lead to revocation of registration.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
The following section is based on the 2006 Education Act, which governs private and assisted educational institutions from pre-primary to secondary education. Although the 2006 Education Act includes tertiary education within its mandate, further legislation has been developed and is under the governance of the National Accreditation Board (NAB).
Taxes and subsidies: According to the Value Added Tax Act (2006) educational services which are registered or licensed by the law or the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation (MoENR) from pre-primary to tertiary level are exempt from the Value added Tax (VAT).
Private schools from pre-primary to secondary education may apply for government assistance to become an assisted private schools. Private schools must fulfill the requirements and specifications established by the (MoENR) and may receive financial and/or non-financial aid.
Quality of teaching and learning
Teaching profession: Every teacher employed at a private school or private assisted school must hold the same qualification required from teaches who work in the public education system, such as being 18 or older and having attained (passed) the Caribbean examinations criteria according to that established by law. When the Chief of Education Officer believes a teacher does not possess the required minimum qualifications can request the private school not to employ that particular teacher. According to the Education Act (2006), the Minister may make provision for the professional training of teachers for the entire education system and specify standards for the recruitment of teachers, their training, professional development, and conditions of service.
Admission selection and processes: The Education Act (2006) dictates that assisted private schools must follow the same admission requirements for public school students. Admission requirements include students having the minimum required according to the level of education and a medical certificate certifying the child has been immunized. No school can refuse a student's admission based on religion, race, place of origin, political opinion, creed, social status, physical handicap, or any other discriminatory grounds to that student or a parent/guardian.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Sanctions: Any private school that operates without a permit is liable to a monetary fine or imprisonment conviction. Moreover, any institution that fails to comply with the Education Act's requirements may revoke its permit by the MoENR. When a private school permit is revoked, the MoENR will ensure alternative accommodations within the students' public school system.
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
No specific information was found on establishing private tutoring centers or the prohibition or regulation by teachers of tutoring or any Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation (MoENR) regulation. The laws of St. Vincent grant business licenses to educational establishments.
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
