Sustainable employment, the cost of living, standardisation of schoolbooks, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Regional Integration were among several issues discussed today (February 25), when Prime Minister Keith Mitchell met with a delegation of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP). In welcoming Political Leader of the GULP, Mrs. Gloria Payne Banfield, and her delegation comprising Deputy Political Leader Reynold Benjamin and Public Relations Officer Clifford Robertson, Prime Minister Mitchell thanked the GULP for participating in the consultations for the 2004 Budget and the celebrations marking Grenada's 30th anniversary of Independence. The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Minister of Education and Labour Claris Charles, Minister of State Senator Einstein Louison and Special Advisor Richardson Andrews, also took the opportunity to invite the GULP to have a representative on the Commission that will be responsible for identifying and recommending sites and monuments throughout the Nation in honour of outstanding citizens, past and present. During the hour-long meeting, it was agreed that improvements in standards of goods and services are required, as Grenada prepares for the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy in 2005. It was noted that the Price and Consumer Affairs Department and the Grenada Bureau of Standards must work more assiduously to ensure Grenadian standards are competitive and that imported goods and services also meet high standards. On the issue of employment, the Prime Minister referred to the enormous potential in the ICT sector, agriculture and tourism, noting that more skills training is an important factor in meeting the requirements of the job market. He said improvements to the Skills Training Centres in St. Andrew's and St. Patrick's will help to address this. Mrs. Payne Banfield said there is need to reduce the number of schoolbooks required for both primary and secondary school students. Minister Charles said she is currently holding meetings with school principals to discuss this and other issues, such as universal secondary education. "We are looking at the holistic development of the child," Minister Charles said, adding that the implementation of the shorter list of required schoolbooks is expected to begin in September 2005. Prime Minister Mitchell pointed out that consultations with teachers and other groups in society are being institutionalised to ensure Government receives input from a wide cross-section of society on an ongoing basis. SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER