Overview
Grenada is a group of three islands (Grenada, Carriacou, Petite Martinique) located north of Trinidad and Tobago, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The population is 90,343 and the literacy rate is 96%. English is the official language and language of instruction, and Grenadian Creole is used in daily life. Eighty percent (80%) of the population are descendants of African slaves brought to the islands to work on sugar estates. Twelve percent (12%) are descendants of indentured Indian servants who were brought to the islands for a short time.
Grenada was inhabited by Caribs when it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1498. He named it Isla Concepcion and later changed it to Granada. In 1650, French settlers established sugar estates. In 1763, Grenada was ceded to Great Britain as a result of the Treaty of Paris. In 1877, it was named a Crown Colony. In 1974, it was granted independence from Great Britain, making it one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Education
Education is overseen by the country's Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, and the Environment and is compulsory from ages 5 to 16.
Primary and Secondary Education
Primary school (Grades 1-6) is six years starting at age 6. At the end of primary school, students sit for the Common Entrance Examination, the results of which determines the secondary school they will attend. Secondary school (Forms 1-5) is 5 years and, upon completion, students sit for the Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (CXC SEC) or the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Levels) examination.
Post-Secondary Education
Following secondary school, students can continue on to a 2-year Form 6 to prepare for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) or the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Levels) examination. Students also have the option of continuing their studies at T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) which is the only post-secondary institution on Grenada. TAMCC offers certificate and diploma programs as well as associate and bachelor degree programs. Admission to TAMCC requires 4 or 5 passes (depending on the proposed program of study) on the Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (CXC SEC) or the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Levels) examination.