OECS and Jamaica’s Early Childhood Commission Successfully Conclude Regional Knowledge Exchange to Advance Early Childhood Systems

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, in collaboration with Jamaica’s Early Childhood Commission (ECC) and Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI), has successfully concluded a landmark two-day Early Childhood Development (ECD) Knowledge Exchange Study Tour in Kingston, Jamaica, held Oct 21–22, 2026.

Supported by financial and technical assistance from UNICEF, the high-level study tour brought together ECD leaders, ministry officials, and technical specialists representing nine English-speaking OECS Member States, alongside OECS Commission representatives and regional ECD partners. The delegation convened to examine Jamaica’s world-class statutory frameworks, institutionalised standards, and multi-sectoral mechanisms to accelerate early childhood education reform across the Eastern Caribbean.

Pioneering Multi-Sectoral Governance & Field-Level Execution

Throughout the intensive two-day exchange, delegates participated in technical briefings, interactive policy workshops, and targeted site observations focused on four critical pillars of early childhood transformation:

Revitalising Regional Frameworks for Actionable Impact

The study tour builds directly upon the OECS Commission’s Integrated Operations Framework for the ECD Sector in the OECS Region (2016). While the 2016 framework established a clear vision for integrated regional ECD delivery, administrative silos and resource constraints have created ongoing implementation challenges across OECS Member States. Jamaica’s operational model provided delegates with a practical, living benchmark for operationalising multi-sectoral governance at scale.

The study tour serves as an immediate catalyst for country-level implementation of the OECS integrated framework for the delivery of ECD services, which calls for an intersectoral approach among key ministries, namely Education, Social Protection, Health and Labour. Following this exchange, each participating OECS Member State delegation will submit a draft Action Plan detailing specific policy and regulatory adjustments inspired by the Jamaican model. These inputs will feed into a consolidated Regional Policy Synthesis Note for consideration by the policy heads of the respective ministries.

Mrs. Sisera Simon, Director of the Human & Social Division at the OECS Commission:

"Early childhood development remains the foundational pillar of the OECS Education Sector Strategy. This knowledge exchange with Jamaica has provided our regional delegation with concrete, field-tested models of statutory authority, standardised quality assurance, and importantly, inter-agency synergy. Our goal is to translate these learnings directly into actionable reform that ensures every child across the Eastern Caribbean receives a regulated, high-quality, and holistic foundation."

Leadership of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Jamaica:

"Jamaica is honoured to host our colleagues from across the OECS and share the journey of the Early Childhood Commission. Through robust legislative frameworks, the enforcement of our 12 Operational Standards, and close multi-sectoral collaboration with health and social security, we have worked to build a system that protects and nurtures every child. We believe that functional cooperation across our wider Caribbean community is essential, and we look forward to continued partnership with the OECS."

Stakeholders from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, and other participating agencies engage in technical discussions on early childhood governance, regulation, quality assurance and workforce development during Day 1 of the OECS Early Childhood Development Knowledge Exchange Study Tour, held at the ECC Head Office, 7-9 Harbour Street, Kingston, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.Senior representatives of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) during Day 1 of the OECS Early Childhood Development Knowledge Exchange Study Tour, held at the ECC Head Office in Kingston, Jamaica, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Pictured from left: Sisera Simon, Director, Human and Social Division, OECS Commission; Dr. Karlene DeGrasse-Deslandes, Executive Director, ECC; Mrs. Trisha Williams-Singh, Chairman, ECC; and Germain Anthony, Senior Technical Specialist for Education, OECS Commission’s Education Development Management Unit (EDMU).

Delegates and stakeholders participating in the OECS Early Childhood Development Knowledge Exchange Study Tour gather for a group photograph during a field visit to Charles Chin Loy Basic School in Tivoli Gardens, Kingston, on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The visit formed part of Day 2 of the regional engagement, which focused on workforce development and field observations.Children participate in an interactive classroom activity at Charles Chin Loy Basic School in Tivoli Gardens, Kingston, as delegates and stakeholders observe teaching and learning practices during Day 2 of the OECS Early Childhood Development Knowledge Exchange Study Tour on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

Participants in the OECS Early Childhood Development Knowledge Exchange Study Tour gather for a group photograph at the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Head Office, 7-9 Harbour Street, Kingston, Jamaica, during Day 1 of the two-day regional engagement on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

About the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to regional integration and cooperation in the Eastern Caribbean. Established by the Treaty of Basseterre, signed on June 18, 1981, the OECS was founded on a commitment to unity, solidarity and collective action. The Revised Treaty of Basseterre, signed on June 18, 2010, established the OECS Economic Union, deepening the regional integration process and strengthening the framework for cooperation among Member States. Through the OECS Commission, the Organisation works with Member States and development partners to advance shared priorities, promote sustainable and inclusive development, and strengthen the region's collective response to economic, social and environmental challenges. For more information, visit www.oecs.int

About the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Jamaica

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is an agency of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information in Jamaica. Established under the Early Childhood Commission Act of 2002, the ECC coordinates and supervises the early childhood sector, advising government policy and enforcing compliance under the Early Childhood Act of 2005.