Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

2
4
Coding . Programming . Robotics . Generative AI .
Website and App Development .
Presentation to Education Officials, 30 November 2023

Transforming The ECCU Together

 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

The ECCB sponsored STEAM camps are designed to support the

teaching of 4th and 5th Industry Revolution (4IR and 5IR) skills:

1. App and Web Site Development, Robotics and Generative AI

2. Coding
3. Computational Thinking and Analytics
4. Literacy in Different Types of Media
5. Innovative and Adaptive Thinking
6. Virtual Collaboration and Social Intelligence
7. Ability to Work Across Disciplines
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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

2023 ECCB sponsored in-person camps:

1. St. Kitts and Nevis Robotics Association (targeted 100/ reached 150 high school
students in St. Kitts and Nevis). Ended 28 July
2. Orbtronics: targeting 120 high school students and adults in Saint Lucia over the
2023 Easter, Summer and December periods ( in progress)

2023 ECCB sponsored online camps:

1. Create Caribbean: (99 participants targeted/ 56 attended primarily from five
countries - Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat).
Ended 4 August
2. Innovate my World (targeted 60 high school students/39 attended primarily
from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Anguilla). Ended 25 August

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STEAM CAMPS 2023 (A Bird's-Eye View)

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Age of Camp Attendees

60%

50%

40%

30%
Responses
20%

10%

0%
younger 11 -12 13 -14 15-16 17-18 Older than
than 11 18

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On average, how many classes did you

miss?
45.00%
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00% Responses

15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Zero 1-2 3-4 5 -7 8 or more

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What would be your preferred instruction

delivery format?
60%

50%

40%

30%

20%
Responses
10%

0%
Lecture with About 50% Very little lecture Mainly lecture
some hands-on lecture and 50% and mostly and very little
exercises/project hands-on hands-on hands-on
work exercises/project exercises/project exercises/project
work work work

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Sample of Participants Recommendations for Improvement –

ECCB Sponsored STEAM Summer Camps 2023
1. Some teachers were great and I could tell were very passionate whilst others were more on the
nonchalant side so definitely try to engage the students more
2. Make the lectures a bit simpler just so everyone can understand and retain the information
3. More interaction in the online learning program
4. More step by step teaching
5. Make it more interactive and fun but overall it was a good thing
6. Help students become independent learners
7. Increased interactive learning
8. The camp was perfect, I just wish we had more time and built/programmed more
9. Offer wide amounts of topics. Eg. different coding languages like java, python
10. Ensure that there are sufficient materials available for projects so that there could be smaller groups

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“It was a very engaging and interactive camp. It was also very informative
and I learned different things. My critical thinking and problem solving
skills improved from the C++ course; I learned about structure and
syntaxes for HTML/CSS; I learned about gradient in colors, which colors
evoke which emotions, which colors go good together, a general
understanding on how to use Canva from the Graphic Design course; and
finally, my problem solving skills also improved from the robotics course
and I got a deeper understanding of robots overall such as the type of
robot programming, the parts of a robot like motors and sensors. Overall,
I am very happy that I attended the camp as it increased my knowledge
significantly and helped me to discover my creative side.”
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“I have learnt a lot. Some stuff I learnt are how to make apps for app
inventing we made a lot of apps and I loved making them. The class
Robotics I learnt about robots and to build one takes a lot of time and
patience. Robots can work automatically or by a remote. The class HTML I
learnt how to make my own websites. When making your own website you
will need the app notepad++ to type the things you want on your website.
The class graphic design I learnt how to be creative and I am making my
own poster for an exercise we talked about in class. I have learnt a lot and
overall my experience of learning and meeting new people was great!”

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“At the camp I learnt several things and did things I never thought I was
capable of. I worked in the field of STEAM along with my group and we
created a robot. This was my first time ever doing something like that.
Along the way I formed friendships and learnt how to work with a large
group. My experience at the camp was most definitely memorable and I
will absolutely be coming back for years to come.”

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“Innovate my world really filled my heart with great joy! I also had an
amazing time with the other codify members, and formed a close bond with
them. The days spent huddled around the computer coding with my
teammates and our supervisors were probably my favourite part of the
camp! It was quite informative and even though I do not see a career that
pertains to coding this experience has truly peeked my interest . This was
truly a wonderful and memorable experience! .”

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“The junior program was a captivating and enjoyable experience that

aroused curiosity and offered a great deal of fun. We first learned about
how to use our journals, how to properly note things and how we draw
certain objects so that anyone who gets our journal would be able to build
the robot just like us. We in the robotics program built a claw robot using
parts from a kit sourced from a company called VEX - they had a wide range
of types of parts and different manuals for building new types of robots.
Overall, the junior program was a remarkable experience that left a lasting
impression on me. It made learning an absolute joy, and I am grateful for
the knowledge, memories, and friendships I gained through this incredible
journey.”
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The Way Forward For Camps 2024 and Beyond …

Our vision is to support camps that give our youth opportunities to learn
coding, programming, app and web site development, robotics and AI
skills as well as avenues to use these skills by framing the knowledge
acquisition and activities around problem areas that have thematic
importance and value for the private and public sectors, thereby fostering a
culture of continuous innovation embedded in problem solving and
collaboration. The vision also includes opportunities to validate participants’
mastery of specific skills through certification in coding. Short summer
internships in the private and public sectors are also considered part of the
design framework.

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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

COMPETITIVENESS AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION

Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolution (4IR/5IR)

technologies and skills offer immense potential for an
urgently needed new wave of growth in the Caribbean.

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Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Nurturing a Future-Ready Workforce

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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Windows of Opportunity for ECCU Economies to Catch Up in

Diversification, Productivity, and Complexity
Top 10 Technologies of the Decade

1. Artificial Intelligence 6. Robots

2. Internet of Things 7. Immersive Media
3. Mobile/Social Internet 8. Mobile Technologies
4. Blockchain 9. Cloud Computing
5. Big Data 10. Cybersecurity

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The Future of Work

INCREASING DEMAND DECREASING DEMAND

1 Data Analytics and Specialist 1 Data Entry Clerks

2 AI & Machine Learning Specialist 2 Administrative & Executive Secretaries
3 Big Data Specialist 3 Accounting, Book-keeping & Payroll Clerks
4 Digital Marketing & Strategy Specialist 4 Accountants & Auditors
5 Process Automation Specialist 5 Assembly & Factory Workers
6 Business Development Professionals 6 Business Services & Administration Workers
7 Digital Transformation Specialist 7 Client Information & Customer Service Workers
8 Information Security Analyst 8 General & Operational Managers
9 Software & Application Developer 9 Mechanics and Machine Repairs
1 Internet of Things Specialist 10 Material- Recording & Stock Keeping Clerks
0
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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Upon statistical analysis of more than 100 countries and 150

variables related to all sectors of the economy, the education sector
presented the largest negative development gaps in Caribbean
countries. This means that, compared to other economies of similar income per
capita, Caribbean nations are the most lagging countries in terms of education,
and, in the skill match with the private sector (Acevedo, Borensztein and Lennon,
2019). The Caribbean: A Private Sector’s Challenge to Increasing
Productivity and Growth – Part I

Source: IDB

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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

The present formal education system

provides primary and secondary school
students limited or no access to coding,
programming, multimedia, robotics, AI
and other foundational 4IR and 5IR
skills. These skills are required for the
region to achieve Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) related to
Quality Education (SDG 4), decent
work, and economic growth (SDG
8), Industry, Innovation and
Infrastructure ( SDG 9) and are also
interlinked with SDGs 1, 2, 3 & 5.

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30.0 The region’s

ECCU Average Unemployment unemployment
25.0
challenges started way
before Covid-19 and
have continued to
Unemployment Rate

20.0 ECCU Average deteriorate.

Singapore
15.0 Mauritius
Barbados
10.0 Jamaica
Bahamas
Sources: Labour Force Surveys,
ILO, Census, Country Websites, B.
5.0
Labadie’s calculations
A Case for More Systematic
Labour Market Interventions in
0.0 the ECCU: Labour Market
1980/81 1991/92 2000/01 2010/11 2015/16 Strategies for the Region (Labadie,
Henry, Paul, Barnard 2021)

25
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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Source: IDB Caribbean Economics Quarterly - May 2023

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Together We Can Achieve More

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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

P3s - Strategic Partnerships

• Academia
• Private sector
• Public Sector
• NGOs/Social Organisations

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Comprehensive pathway to achieve the required education policy changes to
support the implementation of 4IR/5IR skills training in secondary schools

29
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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

How Can We Work Together to Achieve the Goal of Institutionalising the

4IR/5IR ECCB Sponsored Secondary School Camps Project?

1. Collaboration and active involvement to gate successful

implementation.
2. Information dissemination to teachers, parents and students
to facilitate maximum registration and attendance.
3. Logistics to facilitate access.
4. Attendance by a sample of teachers at one or more camp
sessions.
5. Feedback to create a framework of continuous improvement.
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 Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

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Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

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