The Ministry of Education is now reviewing the national curriculum for primary and secondary schools, as part of plans to modernise and enhance the learning environment.

Education Minister, Ronald Thwaites, said in addition to access to education, children need to be engaged with a rich, varied and stimulating curriculum, suited for their individual learning styles and interests.

His comments were delivered by Deputy Chief Education Officer in the Ministry, Sharon Neil, at a function yesterday in observance of World Day against Child Labour.

The education minister said the review of the curricula will complement plans by the ministry to gradually phase out all- age and junior high schools.

He cited statistics which show that while enrolment at the primary level currently stands at 85 per cent, the figure decreased to 77 per cent at the secondary level.

Thwaites said these statistics support arguments that child labour seems to be most prevalent between the ages of 14 and 17 years.

He said that age group mainly comprises the all-age and junior high cohorts, hence the Ministry’s decision to give consideration to phasing out these categories in the education system.

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