November 26, 2008 No. 31/08-G CDB AND IDB SPONSOR REGIONAL EDUCATION POLICY DIALOGUE The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will co-host a workshop to examine the status of literacy and numeracy among primary and secondary students in the Caribbean. National assessment tests at the primary education level indicate that in most Caribbean countries, some students have not acquired the basic literacy and numeracy competencies, and are not well prepared for the transition from primary to secondary education. A number of countries have initiated and implemented projects that aim to improve these skills, however, information about their content and success is not widely known or accessible. CDB and IDB commissioned a joint regional study on literacy and numeracy to get a better understanding of the current situation pertaining to these skills at the two educational levels. The study compiles the interventions targeting literacy and numeracy in the Region, and undertakes a diagnostic of the current status. The study will be central to the discussions at the workshop. Approximately 70 participants from CDB's and IDB's member countries are expected to attend the workshop. It will be held at the Hilton Barbados Hotel from December 2-3, 2008.