The 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (19CCEM) will be held from 22-26 June, 2015 in Nassau, The Bahamas at Atlantis Resorts, Paradise Island.
 

The conference is organised jointly by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of The Bahamas with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology serving as the lead agency.
 

Theme of the 19CCEM

The theme of the 19CCEM is “Quality Education for Equitable Development: Performance, Paths and Productivity”. This builds on the recommendations of the Commonwealth Ministerial Working Group (MWG) which was established following the 18CCEM.
 

It is generally agreed that for quality education systems to exist within Commonwealth countries, the teaching and learning components must be grounded in high standards. Learning outcomes will be significantly impacted by this factor, supported by the 3Ps:

• PERFORMANCE of the varied education systems must be facilitated by functional assessments, curriculum, teaching methodologies, supporting systems, and overall policy and practices that are progressive and adaptable.
• PATHS leading to quality education must be examined to ensure that they can enable our citizens to achieve both personal and national goals. Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) remains a viable and inclusive pathway for our citizens to achieve an education which empowers them. It is critical that TVET is discussed and its possible impact on vexing issues such as high rates of student dropout, failure of individual students to persist in their studies and ultimately, the resultant exclusion from formal education and the labour market. The notion of paths also alludes to non-traditional and alternative methods for the delivery of education, including the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to advance Open and Distance Learning opportunities.
• PRODUCTIVITY achieved will be a direct result of the efforts and the financial investment made in education.

Productivity should not be thought of solely in the narrow sense of the effectiveness of individuals as contributors to the economy, but also in the broader sense of individuals  contributing positively to the overall development of society as productive and responsible citizens.
 

Commonwealth Ministers of Education will discuss and analyse how they will be able to align their priorities in the education section in the context of the Post-2015 development framework for education. It is expected that ministers will offer recommendations which specifically advocate that member countries ensure the provision of free, quality, basic education for a minimum of nine years.  Additionally, their education systems should minimise differences in learning outcomes, according to national standards, between more and less advantaged groups, and provide post-basic education and opportunities for all youth and adults to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes to participate fully in society and secure decent work.
 

19CCEM Objectives

The specific objectives of 19CCEM are to:

• Increase Commonwealth Ministers and Senior Officials’ understanding of critical issues in education;
• Provide a forum for discussing these issues and lessons and sharing good practices within the Commonwealth;
• Examine barriers to equity, access and quality education and identify key enabling factors to address these issues;
• Gain the commitment of Ministers to specific actions identified at the conference;
• Discuss the process for aligning plans and strategies to support the achievement of the new goals and targets of  the Post-2015 education development framework with Commonwealth priorities, processes and platforms;
• Discuss and agree on steps to take forward and any new mandate and actions on global issues that resonate with and impact on Commonwealth priority education and concerns.

Features of 19CCEM

In addition to the Ministerial Meeting, several other meetings and events will take place during the course of the week including the following:
 

Senior Officials Meeting (23 June, 2015)

Small States Meeting (June, 2015)

Regional Ministerial Caucus (22June 23, 2015)

Senior Officials Meeting (23 June, 2015)

Opening Ceremony (24 June, 2015)

Teachers Forum

Youth Forum

Stakeholders’ Forum

Ministerial Meeting (June 25)

Closing Ceremony (June 26)

Exhibition