St. Kitts and Nevis - Education

The literacy rate is over 90%. Education is free and compulsory for 12 years. Elementary education lasts for seven years followed by four years of secondary education at the first level and two at the second level.

A National Committee on Education was established in 1991 to examine all aspects of the education system at the primary and secondary level. Issues under consideration included introducing technical and vocational education and training; economic trends and the education system; administration and management of the education system; and teachers and their work conditions.

In 1993, there were 7,068 students at the primary level. Secondary-level schools employed 322 teachers and enrolled 4,402 students in the same year. By 1998 there were a total of 68 primary and secondary schools, with a combined enrollment of 21,946. The pupil-teacher ratio at the primary level was 19 to 1 in 1999. In the same year, public expenditure on education was estimated at 3.3% of GDP.

Well known for its higher education is the College of Further Education. The St. Kitts Technical College, a division of the College of Further Education, specializes in technical education. At the post-secondary level, there were 51 teachers and 394 students enrolled in 1993.