St. George’s, September 11, 2009 (GIS) - Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas has called for a collaborative approach to improving Grenada’s education system. Among those who must be involved in the collaboration with the Education Ministry are parents, the Prime Minister said in a nationwide broadcast marking the start of the new school year. “Our parents and our communities must support our principal and Ministry of Education,’’ he stressed. “Our church boards must become more actively involved in assuming responsibility for our schools along with the ministry. Our students in particular, must work harder, become more disciplined and motivated.” Prime Minister Thomas noted that there has been an emerging shift in the Caribbean which focuses on business, entrepreneurship and personal development skills for employment. This, he said, has created a cause for concern for Grenada. A recent World Bank report has shown that Grenada has an estimated 41% skills gap. “Over the years we have allowed our system to slip and have not been training our young people with the skills needed by the marketplace,’’ said Prime Minister Thomas. “Many of our young people are not suited for the job market and are unable to function effectively in the workplace.” The Grenadian leader also declared his government’s intention to invest remedying students’ lack of technical and personal skills such as team building, positive attitudes, communication and conflict resolution. Grenada must move its education system from “learning by rote” to the problem-solving approach, Mr. Thomas explained. “We must instill in our children good values and principles that would guide their moral, ethical and spiritual development,’’ he said. “We must produce children who are better suited to the job market with better technical and personal development skills.’’