ER_Guidance Counsellors' Handbook - Oct. 2002

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Rationale
During the years 1998 and 1999 the OECS Education Reform Unit conducted a Student
Attitude Survey in the nine OECS countries. This survey resulted from a concern that
students in the Eastern Caribbean were displaying signs of alienation from the
educational process. The aim of the survey was to “better understand students’ hopes,
fears, aspirations and ambitions as well as their attitudes towards school work and their
future lives,” (OERU 1999). The research process involved the use of structured
questionnaires completed by students and teacher ratings of students’ performance and
behaviour. There were also focus group discussions with out-of-school youth, parents
and teachers.