Caribbean education development : UWI/USAID primary curriculum subproject

Final PES covers the period 6/79-6/85 and is based on an attached external terminal evaluation (XD-AAS-560-A). The SP has achieved all its objectives except the dissemination of educational materials to non-pilot schools within participating countries. New curricula consisting of revised syllabi, teachers" manuals, and pupils" workbooks in four subjects (Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics) have been completed; the low-cost production method used, however, means that they will have a restricted shelf life. Additional teaching aids and supplementary materials have also been produced, in some cases, independently by participating countries. A major accomplishment has been the development and successful implementation of a refined model of the curriculum development process. Teachers and principals have been trained in the use of the new materials and in new teaching methods, content, testing, and curriculum. Achievement was high in all areas with the exception of testing which was hindered by time constraints. Also, four 1-year training programs were held in Jamaica for 72 primary and all-age principals, and 22 workshops were conducted to train principals in the other nine countries. The Project Advisory Group functioned effectively throughout the SP; Project Implementation Units functioned satisfactorily for the first 2 years, but later ceased to function in some countries. The SP had several positive unplanned effects, e.g., both teachers" colleges and junior highs have made use of SP materials, two countries established a reading center, and pupil attendance improved in pilot schools. Some of the important lessons learned include the need to: (1) use full-time local project coordinators and local expertise wherever possible; (2) consider local travel costs; (3) expect a high rate of turnover of education personnel; and (4) provide adequate resources for the dissemination of new materials. Also, the SP benefited from being located in a strong regional educational institution, the University of West Indies.