How good is education in Grenada?
Introduction to education in Grenada
Grenada’s educational system is modeled largely on the British educational system. Primary education lasts for seven years and secondary education for five years. In 1995, there were 57 primary schools with 23,256 students (of which 10,920 were female) and 869 teachers. Secondary schools had a total of 10,213 students and 377 teachers in 1993. The pupil-teacher ratio at the primary level was 21 to 1 in 1999. As of 1995, public expenditure on education was estimated at 4.4% of GDP.
Post-secondary institutions include T.A. Marryshow Community College, Grenada National College, Technical and Vocational Institute, the Teacher Training College, and the Institute for Further Education. St. George’s University Medical School, a private US institution founded in 1977, provides medical training for students from other countries, the majority from the U.S. literacy is low in Grenada, with an adult literacy rate at an estimated 91%.
While education in Grenada continues to be largely academic, the government is pushing ahead with efforts to expand vocational options at schools. Plans are afoot to re-focus curricula to embrace arts, crafts, sports, and tourism, and thereby to plug national skills gaps.
Why study in Grenada?
For decades, Grenada’s medical school has been one of the most popular and well-regarded institutions in the Caribbean for foreigners studying abroad. Grenada’s beautiful and varied tropical landscape and its rich French and English colonial history offer students from around the world an opportunity for a unique cultural exchange while they pursue their degrees.
Higher Education System
Grenada only has two universities, but one is world-renowned: St. George’s University (SGU), reported to have “placed more doctors into first-year US residency positions than any other medical school in the world” as of April 2013. SGU features both medical and veterinary degree programs, as well as non-medical degree programs.
Although St. George’s University was established as a medical school, in recent years its programs of study have been expanded to include:
- School of Medicine
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- School of Arts and Sciences
- Graduate Studies programs (including MBAs in Health Management and International Business)
The other university is T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), which offers 46 pro-grams across a wide range of disciplines, including arts, sciences, and technology. The college awards certificates, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees.
Many universities choose Grenada as a destination when hosting their own short-term study abroad programs.
Extracurricular activities
For outdoor enthusiasts, hiking and swimming abound in Grenada. Concord Falls offers three waterfalls, one of which can be reached by car with the others requiring a hike to access, but all three offer great swimming. In addition, hikes to Grand Etang National Park and Mt. St. Catherine, the highest peak in Grenada, should not be missed for the magnificent vistas, wildlife, and stunning flora and fauna with many specimens unique to the Caribbean.
The waters around Grenada support a vibrant array of sea life. Exploring the reefs just off the coast, snorkelers and scuba divers are treated to colorful tropical fish and other sea life. In addition, the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park showcases sculpture reflective of Grenada’s culture in addition to acting as an artificial reef and playing host to a stunning array of varied marine life. Rentals are available for sailing, parasailing, diving, kayaking, windsurfing, and snorkeling to further explore the beautiful Caribbean waters surrounding the island.
Perfect location
The first thing you notice when arriving in Grenada is its temperature climate is and rich topography. Approximately 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, Grenada is 133 square miles of some of the most varied terrain in the Caribbean – from mountains and rainforests to stunning mangroves and dwarf forests. With average temperatures that range from 75ºF to 85ºF (24ºC to 30ºC) and tempered by steady, cooling trade winds, you’ll find that Grenada is the perfect place to study, forge new friendships, and enjoy a variety of activities both on and off campus.
Grenada has a booming tourism and hospitality industry, and those students who choose to study on its islands will enjoy access to the same natural wonders and recreational activities that draw admirers from around the globe; beaches, mountains, and rain forests are all found on the main island. Grenada is also a short travel distance by plane or boat to the rest of the Caribbean, as well as South America.
Read frequently asked questions about Grenada immigrant investment program.
