Dominica - Education

Much of Dominica's school system had to be rebuilt after the 1979 hurricane. In 1995 there were 64 primary schools, with 641 teachers and 12,627 students enrolled. In secondary schools, there were approximately 6,500 students enrolled. The pupil-teacher ratio at the primary level was 20 to 1 in 1999. Education is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. Technical and vocational studies offer practical training in technical and electrical engineering, auto mechanics, plumbing, general business, construction, and agriculture. Transportation to secondary schools is a problem for students in rural areas. As of 1999, public expenditure on education was estimated at 5.3% of GDP.

Higher educational facilities include a teacher training institute, a technical college, a nursing school, and a local center maintained by the University of the West Indies. In higher-level institutions, there were 34 teaching staff and 484 students in 1993.