CARICOM hopes to utilize the education system, and a number of private and public sector officials to distribute critical information on CSME.

A CARICOM consultancy for teachers that aims to improve information flow on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) was held yesterday, at the Palm Haven Hotel in Rodney Bay.

The consultancy will help teachers deliver a work plan to effectively disseminate pertinent information to students.

"[Teachers] are the drivers who will make the CSME a reality. If we don’t begin to disseminate critical and correct information to teachers to teach students, the message is defeated and invisible," said Aisha Jn. Baptiste-Sealy of the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs.

CARICOM Representative Dr. Morella Joseph said an example of successful regional integration can be seen within the European Union. Such integration, she said, is possible within the Caribbean Community.

"The classroom is the best place to begin this public education drive. The effective implementation of CSME, not just in CSEC and CAPE, Social Studies and History, but throughout the school curriculum, will bring it to life with the help of our students."

Throughout the week, Feb. 24 - 28, the CARICOM Secretariat in association with the Ministry of Commerce held a series of training workshops targeting a cadre of public and private sector officials. The overall objective of the consultancy is to improve communication workflows as a means of improving awareness by ensuring that identified spokespersons are better equipped to speak on the CSME. 

The aim is to create increased opportunities for people of the region to participate and benefit more freely from CSME regional integration.

The consultancy forms part of the CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project of the Caribbean region funded by the Government of Canada.