CATEGORY: EDUCATION ---------------------- By Trevor Thwaits (St.George's correspondent) ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada: The Grenada government says that it is moving to broaden the range of educational opportunities available to nationals to make them more competitive in the 21st century. Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell says that this is crucial with the advent and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy. He was responding to a question posed by the Principal of the St George’s Anglican Senior School Ursula Antoine MBE, concerning the country’s readiness for the CSME. Representatives of several sectors including education, tourism, agriculture, business and the media met with the prime minister last Wednesday for a special debate on national development at the Spice Island Beach Resort. The principal was keen to know how the government is dealing with the challenges facing education in the context of the CSME. Prime Minister Mitchell said that the broadening the educational opportunities, the acquisition of new skills and the establishment of new and high standards are being given priority. “Ensuring that we can diversify the skills area of training is going to be essential. Another aspect of this is the question of setting high standards. We must do this if we are going to be able to compete,” the prime minister said. He indicated the Grenada is seeking the support of the University of the West Indies to arrive at a set standard for educational certificates for skills in various areas, which he said is necessary at this time. The prime minister noted that having the necessary resources to be able to invest in diverse training opportunities as another of the challenges the country will have to over come in the new dispensation. Prime Minister Mitchell is also expecting the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN), expected to come on stream towards the end of the year to be provide more educational opportunities for locals. “That will provide opportunities to train people through the communication network to obtain certificates at their home. The CKLN will be headquarted here. Graduating student of the TA Marry Show Community College (TAMCC) Cathisha Williams sought to find out about government’s plans for addressing the serious issue of brain-drain in the country, with many young intellectuals migrating to Metropolitan countries in search of greener pastures. She wanted to know what plans are being erected to absorb young professional into the job market. For this to be a reality, Prime Minister Mitchell said that the economy will have to be developed with the creation of high paying jobs to keep nationals at home or to entice those who study abroad to return. “The thrust towards the CKLN is meant to do precisely this- to provide a wide range of training opportunities and skills development that will put our people in a position to compete for services that will be available to the world community.” He said that if someone can obtain a job at home for between US 4,000 or US 5,000 dollars they are not likely to stay in the United States or other countries where taxes are higher and the environment is not as conducive for the Caribbean man. “The thrust towards technological development, ITC Services and Training and the empowerment of our people will be a critical factor,” he affirmed. Your views or comments on this article can be sent to grenadianconnection@gmail.com