CARICOM CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (CCDP)

National Census Report 2001, St. Vincent and the Grenadines4.3.1 Primary EducationIn St. Vincent and the Grenadines primary education begins at age five and the children spendseven years at this level up to age twelve, from Kindergarten to Grade Six. Education at thislevel is free, including the cost of textbooks. The government, in its Education Policy, states thatit will 'establish primary schools where necessary and will support initiatives by agenciesengaged in the establishment and operation of similar institutions,’ (MECWA, 1995: 13). St.Vincent and the Grenadines has 66 primary schools, of which 60 are government andgovernment-assisted and the remainder privately run. The Methodist and Anglican religiousdenominations manage most of the government-assisted schools, ten and eight respectively(MEYS, 2004).In 2001, there were 18 807 children that attended primary school, of which there were 9 737males and 9 070 females (Table 4.3). A comparison with the 1991 figures indicates a 22.62 percent decrease in the number of children that attended primary school during the intercensalperiod. The decrease over the same period was higher among girls (23.20 per cent) compared toboys (22.07 per cent).42