15th triennial Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers
(15CCEM, Edinburgh, Scotland, October 2003)
COL reports presented to Education Ministers:
Official outcome documentation:
Excerpts related to the Commonwealth of Learning:
Paragraph 19, Communiqué:
Ministers complimented the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) on its work and accomplishments of the past three years. They approved the 2003-06 business plan and pledged financial support. In view of the impending retirement of President Gajaraj Dhanarajan, they recorded their appreciation for his significant contribution to the Commonwealth through his many years of dedicated work. They also welcomed the new Chair, Mr Lewis Perinbam.
Paragraph 20, Communiqué:
Ministers endorsed the proposal, requested at the 14CCEM, for a Virtual University for Small States, designed to offer opportunities for expanded access to education, teacher training and upgrading, and which may also benefit other regions and states of the Commonwealth. Ministers decided that COL should take leadership of this capacity-building initiative, and collaborate with existing resource institutions in member countries. In order for this initiative not to be a burden on COL, Ministers directed COL to work with the Commonwealth Secretariat to identify sources of funding to take this concept forward.
From the Message to CHOGM:
"We strongly endorsed the concept of a Virtual University for Small States to help improve access to education and training opportunities across the Commonwealth and we urge the President of COL to take the leadership with the Commonwealth Secretariat in the identification of resources necessary to take this initiative forward."
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"We commended COL on its work and approved its three-year plan 2003-2006 supporting its target of $9m annually."
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"We recognised that to assist in Closing the Gap in Access, Inclusion and Achievement, the application of distance education is a critical factor in improving the quality of teachers and we applaud the efforts of the COL in this regard."
December 2003
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
Subsequently, in Abuja, Nigeria, Commonwealth Heads of Government "received with appreciation the Report of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and accepted its recommendations, in particular, the proposal of the Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers for a Commonwealth Virtual University for Small States. They noted COL's request for resources to finance its three-year Strategic Plan." (Abuja Communiqué, 8 December 2003, paragraph 67) - and at the same 2003 meeting (CHOGM), in their Aso Rock Commonwealth Declaration on Development and Democracy: Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (paragraph 16), Heads of Government stated that: "We affirm that education, whether formal or informal, is central to development in any society and is of the highest priority to the Commonwealth."
