About DES
The Department of Education Services (DES) is the operational arm of the Cayman Islands Government education service.
While the Ministry of Education provides the strategic and policy direction for government schools, DES provides the resources and support to schools to implement the various policies and procedures.
The Department of Education Services serves a small jurisdiction, which in some important aspects, is atypical of other jurisdictions in the Caribbean. Students are educated in pleasant, well-maintained schools where there are generally good facilities and more than adequate human and material resources.
Schools have good student and Staff ratios, teachers, and Department staff generally work hard and wherein schools provide an orderly environment within which teaching and learning can take place.
The Department of Education Services has overall responsibilities for the following:
The Cayman Islands Department of Education Services manages the provision of public education in the Cayman Islands. The DES operates learning facilities in all three islands, and has responsibility for 10 primary schools, 3 secondary schools, 1 further education centre, 1 special school and the education service provision in Little Cayman.
Mr. Mark Ray. Director of the Dept. of Education Services.
Mr. Ray is responsible for leading the Department of Education Services in providing strategic direction and development of the government school education system, and implementing national policies and initiatives.
He also leads Senior School Improvement Officers in building government schools’ capacity to improve students’ progress and achievement across the ability range, and works with stakeholders to develop partnerships with social agencies, corporate, media and broader communities.
Management of the public education system involves not only the direct teaching and learning services provided in schools but also a full range of support and business services to enable the operation of schools. The Cayman Islands public school system is inclusive and comprehensive, providing services for the entire range of the school-aged population, including students with a wide range of learning challenges. Government schools within the Cayman Islands are well-resourced and staffed, with access to a wide range of teaching and learning materials, information and communications technology and specialist support. In addition to operating schools, the DES is also responsible for:
- Administering the provision of student support services which help address a wide variety of challenges faced by students, including but not limited to Occupational Therapy Services, Speech and Language Therapy Services, Educational Psychology Services, support for the Visually Impaired, Support for the Hearing Impaired and support for children with emotional and behavioural challenges.
- Administering the Special Needs Code of Practice which supports students with learning challenges.
- Operating the Early Intervention Programme to provide support for children with developmental difficulties aged birth – school entry age through interventions which aim to improve their developmental outcomes.
- Supporting a comprehensive Inclusion programme which supports children with emotional and behavioural challenges in accessing mainstream or alternative education services.
- Managing the transportation of nearly 4000 students on a daily basis.
- Maintaining facilities which are occupied on a daily basis by more than 5500 people.
- Providing centralized purchasing services to schools, including managing tenders for services and equipment.
- Monitoring and approving applications for home-schooling.
- Processing and managing teachers’ licenses for approval by Education Council.
- Provision of testing services to support schools and the wider community through internal and external examination and assessment processes.
- Extensive data management and analysis services to support schools, inform DES and Ministry decision making, and enable the Cayman Islands to comply with national and international reporting requirements.
Strategic Management
The Department of Education Services carries out the Ministry’s policies and directives at the organizational level; developing services, and; setting short, medium and long-term goals and objectives; evaluating the entities’ overall performance and progress towards set targets/outcomes; managing programs to improve teaching and learning and ensure consistent delivery of services.
Governance
- Department of Education Services Education Law 1983 (Revised 2010)
- Personnel Management Revised Law, 2013 & Regulations 2016
- Freedom of Information Law 2007
- Freedom of Information Regulations 2008
- Immigration Law (2006 Revision) and Regulations
- Health Insurance Law (2005 Revision) and Regulations (2005 Revision)
- National Pensions Law (2000 Revision) and Regulations
- Customs Law (2007 Revision) and Regulations
- Environmental Health Laws and Regulations
- Children’s Law
- Other Local Laws and Regulations
Corporate management
Information relating to the following documents can be found on this website. If you are unable to find the information that you are seeking kindly feel free in contacting James T. Watler at: foi@des.ky.
- Annual reports
- Audit reports on overall operations or major projects
- Compliance assessments; inspections; reviews; performance evaluations
- Statistics
- Risk management assessments
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
The Finance of the Department of Education Services is administered by the Accounts Sections in the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment Chief Finance Officer, Finance and Accounting Section. The function of this Section includes: the management of the Department’s monetary resources; relationships with clients, the public and other government agencies. The Department of Education Services currently maintains a Liaison Accountant who assists the Department and its satellite schools with their Accounts.
Financial Management
The Ministry of Education is responsible for the collection of the following fees which is collected centrally down at the Ministry of Education Offices located in the Government Administration Building, as currently no fees are collected here at the DOES:
- School Fees
- Examination Fees
- Rental of Centres
- Transcripts
- Miscellaneous i.e. Social Studies Textbooks, Festival of the Arts Publications, etc
Administration
Documents relating to other administrative functions carried out within the Department of Education Services – including buildings, equipment & vehicles; communications; human resources; information & technology management can be accessed on this website. If the information that you are seeking cannot be found on this site please e-mail James T. Watler at: foi@des.ky
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
- Strategic Plan for Education 2012-2017
- Cayman Islands National professional Standards for Teachers
- New Graduation Criteria for Government High Schools
- Cayman Islands Special Education Needs Code of Practice
- Curriculum Policy
- Donations Policy
- Early Admission to Government Schools
- Information and Communication Technology Integration Strategy
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Integration Policy
- National School Discipline and Student Behaviour Policy
- National School Misuse of Drugs Policy
- National Teaching and Learning Policy
- Policy on Use of Student Images
- Religious Instruction and Devotions during School Hours Policy
- School Starting Age for Reception and Year 1 in Government Schools
- School Uniform and Dress Code
- School-Age Pregnant and Parenting Young Persons
- Sex and Relationship Education
- Staff Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Use Policy
- Student Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Use
- Volunteers
DECISIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Information about proposals, assessments and results, including decision-making processes can be accessed by contacting the FOI Manager at. foi@des.ky
- Department’s Education Leadership Meetings (ELF)
- Minutes of meetings
- Evaluation Procedures
- Assessment Criteria
FORMS
The following forms can be accessed by dropping by the Department of Education Services, or by calling the receptionist @ 945 – 1199 and request that the relevant form be faxed to you or by providing an e-mail address so that it can be sent to you via this means. In addition to this you may also access these forms via our web site →
- Parent Affidavit of Residency Form
- Government Schools Withdrawal Request Form
- Transcript Request Form
- Request for Release and Application for Transfer Form
- General Complaints Form
- Licence to Teach Form
- Student Registration Form
- Home Schooling Application Form
- Student Immigration Form (RS101)
- Application for the Registration of a Private School
- Home Schooling Approval Standards Form
- The Cayman Islands Government Job Placement Form
- Request for Release and Application for Transfer Form
- Pre-School Assistance Claims Form
- Request for Use of Facilities Form
- Employment Application Form
