Review of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Education and Training Policy and Strategy

The CDB’s Office of Independent Evaluation commissioned Universalia to conduct a Review of the CDB’s 2017 Education and Training Policy and Strategy (ETPS). The Review aimed to assess past performance and draw lessons and recommendations from CDB’s work in the education and training sector from 2017 to 2021 that will inform the role of CDB moving forward with a bold vision of education in support of social resilience. The overall goal of the ETPS is to improve the quality of education in BMCs, leading to increased learner outcomes producing a qualified, capable, and representative workforce of diverse individuals, to reduce poverty and achieve inclusive social and economic development for the Region. The Policy has three objectives, namely: (a) to develop education and training systems that provide for equitable access and participation across all levels of the system, (b) to enhance efficiency, relevance and effectiveness of education and training to create systems that are responsive to national, regional, and global labour markets, and (c) to strengthen capacity to reform and manage education systems to enhance student outcomes (governance). The Review considered CDB’s work at all education levels (ECD, primary, secondary, and tertiary education and TVET) and takes a deep dive into three priority areas: basic education; post-secondary education/TVET; special education needs. The Review will also cover cross-cutting themes, such as gender and inclusion, digitalization, 21^st century skills, and climate change. 

The Review adoptws a theory-based approach and placed special emphasis on gender and equity dimensions. The team primarily drew on qualitative methods, including interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders inside the Bank and across the region (all 19 Borrowing Member Countries, regional entities, development partners), review of portfolio data, and document review. In addition to a broad-based review of CDB’s support to the education and training sector across the region (including regional entities and 19 Borrowing Member Countries), the Review developed ‘illustrative cases’ of priority areas within the ETPS, namely: basic education; post-secondary education/TVET; special education needs.