By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|
— Guyana’s Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, has delivered a high-stakes call for the modernization of Caribbean schooling, warning regional leaders that “top-down” changes and flashy technology will fail if they aren’t built on a foundation of literacy and consultation.
Delivering the keynote address at the Inaugural Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Education Conference in Kingstown on Friday, March 20, 2026, Minister Parag emphasized that the region stands at a critical “turning point.”
The Literacy Trap: “Competence Over Connectivity”
While Caribbean states are racing toward digital learning and smart classrooms, Minister Parag warned that hardware cannot replace basic skills.
- Foundation First: The Minister insisted that literacy and numeracy must remain the “anchor” of all reform.
- The Digital Noise: In a pointed critique of tech-heavy policies, she remarked: “Connectivity without competence is merely noise.” She argued that providing a child with a device is useless if the child lacks the foundational skills to utilize it effectively.
AI in the Classroom: Assistant, Not Replacement
Addressing the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Caribbean schools, Minister Parag outlined both the promise and the peril of the new technology.
- Teacher Centricity: She was adamant that AI must be a tool for educators, not a substitute. “AI must assist the teacher. It must not replace the teacher,” she declared.
- Ethical Frameworks: The Minister called for an urgent Regional AI Framework to address:
- Academic Integrity: Combating AI-driven plagiarism.
- Child Safety: Protecting students from cyberbullying and data exploitation.
- Ethics: Ensuring AI algorithms do not reinforce regional or ethnic biases.
The Danger of “Top-Down” Reform
Turning to the process of change itself, Minister Parag cautioned against “rushed” reforms that ignore the realities of those on the ground—teachers, parents, and students.
- The Consultation Mandate: She warned that any reform not grounded in consultation would be resisted and fail to take root.
- Closing the Geography Gap: Parag stressed that transformation must reach the most remote hinterland and rural communities. “The transformation we speak of here must be one that every child experiences, regardless of their geography,” she told the gathered regional ministers and policymakers.
A Holistic Approach to Learning
The Minister reminded her peers that education is inextricably linked to other social factors, including health, labor, and culture. She urged a cross-sectoral approach to reform that considers the “broader conditions” in which Caribbean people live and work.
“Reform that does not account for the realities of our region may very well deepen the very inequalities we claim to be addressing.” — Minister Sonia Parag
Key Takeaways from the Keynote Address
| Focus Area | Minister’s Position |
| Technology | Secondary to basic literacy and numeracy. |
| Artificial Intelligence | Requires a regional ethical/legal framework. |
| Implementation | Must be consultative, not “top-down.” |
| Equity | Must bridge the gap between urban and hinterland schools. |
