The World Bank has issued a dire warning about the state of education in the Caribbean, calling it a full-blown crisis that threatens the region’s future. In a virtual webinar, senior officials exposed deep-rooted failures, pointing to outdated teaching methods, inadequate infrastructure, and widening inequalities that are stifling student success.
Lilia Burunciuc, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean, was blunt in her assessment: “This crisis is jeopardising the future of the Caribbean. Systems are failing, and we must act now to strengthen literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking to improve learning outcomes.”
Senior economist Victoria Levin outlined key concerns, highlighting rigid curricula, lack of teacher training, and poor classroom conditions that hinder effective learning. She noted that many countries lack proper recruitment standards, leaving inexperienced educators struggling. Meanwhile, outdated school facilities and weak digital infrastructure further limit students’ opportunities, with many unable to access basic technology for learning.
The World Bank also criticised the Caribbean’s highly stratified secondary education system, where elite schools cater to wealthier families while under-resourced institutions fail to equip lower-income students with the skills needed to succeed. Special education remains severely neglected, with a lack of policies, proper facilities, and trained professionals to support students with disabilities.
Despite progress in school enrolment, learning outcomes remain alarmingly low. Many students struggle with basic literacy and numeracy skills, and by the time they reach secondary school, they are often too far behind to catch up. Fewer than 80 per cent pass English in CSEC exams, while Maths pass rates are even lower. This learning crisis extends to the job market, with employers consistently reporting a shortage of skilled workers.
The World Bank has called on Caribbean governments to modernise curricula, invest in teacher training, and allocate more resources to primary and secondary education. Officials stress that urgent action is needed to reverse this decline, warning that failure to act will have lasting consequences on economic growth, workforce readiness, and social stability.
