Education Caribbean

» OVERVIEW

Country Name:	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia
Capital:	name: Castries geographic coordinates: 14 01 N, 61 00 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Background:	The island was first settled by Arawak Indians around 200 AD but by 800 AD their culture had been superseded by an early Amerindian group known as the Caribs. The Caribs called the island 'Iouanalao' and 'Hewanorra', meaning 'Island of the Iguanas'. The first European to discover Saint Lucia was Juan de la Cosa, who had at one time served as Columbus's navigator (it is generally believed that Columbus did not set foot on Saint Lucia, but merely sailed close by). The first European settlement was in the 1550s by the buccaneer Francois le Clerc (aka Jambe de Bois, or Wooden Leg). Around 1600 the Dutch arrived, establishing a fortified base at Vieux Fort. However, two attempts by English colonists, in 1605 and 1639, ended in failure as the resident Caribs forced the colonists to flee. By the mid 17th century the French arrived and 'purchased' the island for the French West India Company. Anglo-French rivalry for the island continued for more than a century and a half, with the island changing hands a total of 14 times. The island's first settlements were all French, beginning with Soufrière in 1746. By 1780, 12 settlements and a large number of sugar plantations had been established. Two years earlier, the British launched their first invasion effort at the 'Battle of Cul de Sac'. By 1814, after a prolonged series of battles, the island was finally ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Paris. Self-government with Associated State Status was achieved in 1967 and independence followed on 22 February 1979. Saint Lucia is part of the Commonwealth.
Nationality:	noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian
Population:	159,585 (July 2008 est.)
Ethnic groups:	black 82.5%, mixed 11.9%, East Indian 2.4%, other or unspecified 3.1% (2001 census)
Religions:	Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%, Rastafarian 2.1%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census)
Languages:	English is the official and commercial language but a broken French or patois (known as Kweyol) is also widely spoken.

» NATIONAL SYMBOLS

Flag

flag

The flag has four distinctive colours. The [Cerulean] Blue represent fidelity. It reflects our tropical sky, and also our emerald surrounding waters, the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Gold represents the prevailing sunshine in the Caribbean, and prosperity. The Black and white reflects the cultural influences. The white part, white culture; the black, black culture - the two races living and working in unity.

The design impresses the dominance of Negro culture associated with that of Europe, against a background of sunshine and ever-blue sea; this is represented by the three triangles in the centre of the flag, symbolising three pitons. The triangle, the shape of which is an isosceles (triangle) coupled with the island's famous twin Pitons at Soufrière, rising sheer out of the sea—towards the sky, themselves a symbol of hope, aspirations of the people.

Designed by: Dunstan St. Omer

Coat of Arms

flag

This symbol represents the official seal of the Government of Saint Lucia. The following is a brief description of the Coat of Arms.

The Tudor-Rose represents England
The Fleur-De-Lis represents France
The African Stool represents Africa
The Torch represents a Beacon to light the path
The Birds represent the National Bird - Amazona versicolor
The Bamboo Cross represents the National Plant
The Land, The People, The Light is The Motto

Designed by: Sydney Bagshaw

National Anthem

Download Anthem

Sons and daughters of St. Lucia
Love the Land that gave us birth
Land of beaches hills and valleys
Fairest isle of all the earth
Where so ever you may roam
Love oh Love our island home.

Gone the time when nations battled
For this "Helen of the West"!
Gone the days when strife and discord
Dimmed her children's toil and rest
Dawns at last a brighter day
Stretches out a glad, new way.

May the Good Lord Bless our Island
Guard her sons from woe and harm!
May our people live united,
Strong in soul and strong in arm,
Justice, Truth and Charity
Our ideal, forever be!

Lyrics by: Rev. Charles Jesse FMI • Music by: Mr. Leton Thomas

National Pledge

With God as my guide, I pledge allegiance to my country, Saint Lucia. I proclaim that I will serve my country with pride and dignity and will defend it with vigour and valour in the pursuit of excellence, justice and equality for all.

Written by: Jeff "Pelay" Elva

National Bird

flag

St. Lucian Parrot (Amazona versicolor)

The National Bird of St. Lucia is the St. Lucian Parrot (Amazona versicolor). It is a large beautiful coloured bird found only in St. Lucia, mainly in the rain forest reserves. The body plumage is predominantly green and its head is blue and turquoise.

National Flowers

Rose

Marguerite

The Rose and the Marguerite are the symbols of the two flower societies of Saint Lucia. They emerged as winners of the National Flower Competition in September 1985.

National Holidays

Visit Our Calendar

2008
1-2 Jan New Year
22 Feb Independence Day
21 Mar Good Friday
24 Mar Easter Monday
1 May Labour Day
12 May Whit Monday
22 May Corpus Christi
1 Aug Emancipation Day
2 Oct Thanksgiving Day
13 Dec National Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

» GEOGRAPHY

Geography Overview:

Saint Lucia is one of the Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, 21 miles south of Martinique and 26 miles north of St Vincent. The island is volcanic and famous for its twin 'pitons'(now a world heritage site) and the sulphur Springs at Soufrière. There is 158km of coastline. The interior is mountainous with heavy vegetation, including some rainforest. Daytime temperatures vary little throughout the year, ranging from 26-30C. The tropical climate is moderated by the north-east Trade Winds, particularly during the drier winter months. The island lies in the hurricane belt and tropical storms and hurricanes can occur during May to November. Geographic Co-ordinates: 13 53 N, 60 68 W.

click to maginfy

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:

13 53 N, 60 58 W

Area:

total: 616 sq km
land: 606 sq km
water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative:

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

158 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August

Terrain:

volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m

Natural resources:

forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential

Land use:

arable land: 6.45%
permanent crops: 22.58%
other: 70.97% (2005)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

total: 0.01
per capita: 81 cu m/yr (1997)

Natural hazards:

hurricanes and volcanic activity

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

» LEADERS

Governor General	Pearlette LOUISY, Dame
Prime Minister	Stephenson KING
Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, & Fisheries	Ezechiel JOSEPH
Minister for Communications, Works, Transport, & Public Utilities	Guy Eardley JOSEPH
Minister for Education & Culture	Arsene Vigil JAMES
Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Economic Planning, National Development, & External Affairs	Stephenson KING
Minister for Health Wellness, Family Affairs, National Mobilization, Human Services, & Gender Relations	Keith MONDESIR, Dr.
Minister for Home Affairs & National Security	George Guy MAYERS
Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce, Investment, & Consumer Affairs	Rufus BOUSQUET
Minister for Justice	Nicholas FREDERICK
Minister for Labor, Information, & Broadcasting	Edmund ESTAPHANE
Minister for Physical Planning, Urban Renewal, Local Govt., & the Environment	Richard FREDRICK
Minister for Social Transformation, Public Service, Human Resource Development, Youth, & Sports	Lenard MONTOUTE
Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation	Allen CHASTANET
Attorney General	Nicholas FREDERICK
Ambassador to the US	Sonia JOHNNY
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York	Julian HUNTE

» HEALTH

Health Overview:	The incidence of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean region is second only to sub-Sahara Africa. In St Lucia 515 cases of HIV infection have been reported to the Ministry of Health since 1985, and 237 people have died of AIDS-related diseases (April 2006 figures). Figures for 2004 show that heterosexual transmission was the largest known mode of infection (25%). It is officially accepted that reported cases represent only 20- 25% of true estimate of HIV/AIDS infection in St Lucia. A UK-CARICOM Forum on Reducing Stigma and Discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean was held in St Kitts in November 2004. The aim of the Forum was to accelerate the process of reducing HIV/AIDs-related stigma and discrimination through persons identified as 'Champions for Change'. The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS has taken this work forward in the private sector. The campaign is starting to gain ground in government and the media, but public attitudes are slow to change.
Population:	159,585 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:	0-14 years: 25.2% (male 20,614/female 19,559) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 50,897/female 54,140) 65 years and over: 9% (male 6,481/female 7,894) (2008 est.)
Median age:	total: 29.2 years male: 28.2 years female: 30.2 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:	0.436% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:	15.4 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:	6.71 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:	-4.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:	at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.9425 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:	total: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:	total population: 76.25 years male: 73.59 years female: 79.05 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:	1.86 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:	NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:	NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:	NA

» EDUCATION

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 90.1%
male: 89.5%
female: 90.6% (2001 est.)

Additional Resources
UNICEF Education Statistics
Education Act

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)

Education Expenditures:

6.6% (2006)

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, male

-

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, female

-

Number per 100 population 2005: phones

-

Number per 100 population 2005: Internet users

34

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

111

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

107

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

98

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

96

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, male

-

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, female

-

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, adMinister data

96

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, survey data

-

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

71

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

85

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

61

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

76

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, male

-

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, female

-

» POLITICS

Politics Overview:	The United Workers Party (UWP) won the December 2006 general elections, ending 9 years of government by the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP). Sir John Compton, who had emerged from retirement in March 2005 to successfully challenge for the leadership of the party, was appointed Prime Minister for the third time. He had previously led the country from 1964 to 1979, and 1982 to 1996. The UWP under Sir John Compton had dominated post-independence politics, but suffered a heavy defeat to a Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP)-led coalition in the May 1997 general election. The SLP retained power in 2001, and seemed set for a third term in December 2006 following a period of steady economic growth and development. But in an election campaign fought more on personalities than policies, a late surge in support for the UWP gave them an 11-6 victory in the House of Assembly, albeit with barely 50% of the votes cast. Sir John Compton suffered a series of strokes at the end of April 2007, and died in hospital in Castries on 7 September. Stephenson King, who had been Acting Prime Minister during Compton’s illness, was sworn in as Prime Minister on 9 September. In recent years, Saint Lucia has seen escalating violent crime, with 39 homicides in 2006. Many of these murders are linked to a growing gang-culture driven by the illicit drugs trade. A nationwide survey published in February 2003 revealed that a vast majority of the population believed that crime was a serious or very serious problem in Saint Lucia. Tackling crime is a high priority for the UWP Government. In November 2006, St Lucia recruited nine former British police officers to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force in an effort to improve the performance of the police. There have also been calls for the return of the death penalty for convicted murderers.
Politics Overview:	A Westminster-style parliamentary democracy. There are two chambers, the 17 member House of Assembly, whose members are elected for five-year terms, and the 11-Member Senate, whose members are nominated (six by the Prime Minister, three by the Leader of the opposition, two by the Governor General).
Government type:	parliamentary democracy
Administrative divisions:	11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort
Independence:	22 February 1979 (from UK)
National holiday:	Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Constitution:	22 February 1979
Legal system:	based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:	18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since September 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Stephenson KING (since 9 September 2007); note - Sir John COMPTON died in office Friday, 7 September 2007 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
Legislative branch:	bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 11 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - UWP 50%, SLP 46.9%, other 3.1%; seats by party - UWP 11, SLP 6
Judicial branch:	Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Political parties and leaders:	National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Stephenson KING]
Political pressure groups and leaders:	NA
International organization participation:	ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:	chief of mission: Ambassador Michael LOUIS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:	the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia

» ECONOMY

Economy - overview:	The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, with a surge in foreign direct investment in 2006, attributed to the construction of several tourism projects. Tourism is the main source of foreign exchange, with almost 900,000 arrivals in 2007. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry. Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks including declines in European Union banana preferences, volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. High debt servicing obligations constrain the KING administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks. Economic fundamentals remain solid, even though unemployment needs to be reduced.
GDP (purchasing power parity):	$1.794 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):	$958 million (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:	3.2% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):	$10,700 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:	agriculture: 5% industry: 15% services: 80% (2005 est.)
Labor force:	43,800 (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:	agriculture: 21.7% industry: 24.7% services: 53.6% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:	20% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:	NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):	1.9% (2007 est.)
Budget:	revenues: $141.2 million expenditures: $146.7 million (2000 est.)
Agriculture - products:	bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa
Industries:	clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism; lime processing, coconut processing
Industrial production growth rate:	-8.9% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production:	304.2 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source:	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:	282.9 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:	0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:	0 kWh (2005)
Oil - production:	0 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:	2,700 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports:	0 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:	2,678 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:	0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:	0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:	0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:	0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:	0 cu m (2005)
Natural gas - proved reserves:	0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:	-$199 million (2007 est.)
Exports:	$288 million (2006)
Exports - commodities:	bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil
Exports - partners:	US 24.6%, France 23.4%, UK 21.1%, Antigua and Barbuda 5.1%, Dominica 4.9%, Barbados 4.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.1% (2006)
Imports:	$791 million (2006)
Imports - commodities:	food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels
Imports - partners:	US 25.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 20.2%, Venezuela 9.5%, Netherlands 7.9%, UK 4.9%, Barbados 4.3% (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:	$11.06 million (2005)
Debt - external:	$257 million (2004)
Currency (code):	East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency (code):	XCD
Exchange rates:	East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)
Fiscal year:	1 April - 31 March

» INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Telephones - main lines in use:	51,100 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:	105,700 (2005)
Telephone system:	general assessment: adequate system domestic: system is automatically switched international: country code - 1-758; the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and Southern Caribbean fiber optic system (SCF) submarine cables, along with Intelsat from Martinique, carry calls internationally; direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados
Radio broadcast stations:	AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003)
Radios	111,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:	2 (1 commercial broadcast station and 1 community antenna television or CATV channel) (2003)
Televisions	32,000 (1997)
Internet country code:	.lc
Internet hosts:	15 (2007)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):	15 (2000)
Internet users:	55,000 (2004)

» TRANSPORTATION

Airports:	2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:	total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:	total: 910 km paved: 48 km unpaved: 862 km (2000)
Ports and terminals:	Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort

» DEFENCE AND SAFETY

Military branches:	no regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Coast Guard) (2007)
Manpower available for military service:	males age 16-49: 48,358 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:	males age 16-49: 38,660 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:	males age 16-49: 1,706 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:	NA
Authorised Strength of Police:	714 (OSAC, 2007)
Homicides (per 100,000 people), 2000-2004	..
Prison population total, 2007	503
Prison population (per 100,000 people), 2007	303
Prison population (% female), 2007	1.7
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)	* (2005 - a boys' training school held 14 juveniles under 18. These are not included in the prison population.)
Number of establishments / institutions	1 (2006 - Bordelais)
Official capacity of prison system	500 (2004)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)	97.0%