The State System
Although the Cayman Islands is not a welfare state, the Government has invested heavily in education, providing free schooling for Caymanian children from 4-16 years old, and achieving a 90% literacy rate. Schooling is mandatory for all legally resident children in this age group, and is enforced by the Education Department and the courts.
Government schools are based upon the English system, with primary schools (4-11 year olds) in each district, 5 Government high schools (11-16 year olds), a Community College, a University College and a Law School in George Town. Cayman Brac has two primary schools and a high school, providing full education for 4-16 year olds. There is also a private day-care centre.
Government high schools follow the CXC (Caribbean Examinations Council) curriculum, roughly equivalent to the English GCSE, and also offer a range of other external examinations to meet all ability levels, including IGCSE (the international version of the GCSE), Pitman's and City and Guilds.
The University College of the Cayman Islands offers a wide range of vocational training geared to local needs (business, hotel and building trades for example) as well as associate degrees in a range of majors. It also offers recreational courses, including evening classes.
The Cayman Islands Law School, founded in 1982, offers a three-year Bachelor of Laws degree in conjunction with the University of Liverpool (UK), as well as a five-year attorney-at-law course, and a Diploma in Legal Studies.
The government also provides facilities for special education, training for the disabled and an Alternative Education Centre for juvenile offenders.
More comprehensive information can be obtained at www.brighterfutures.gov.ky.
Private Education
In addition to Cayman's Government schools, there is a wide verity of other educational establishments.
All pre-school education remains in the private sector, although there are three pre-schools run by the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) in George Town, Bodden Town and East End.
Private schools are regulated and inspected by the Government's School Inspectorate.
International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI) is a non-profit school that focuses on business education and office administration. Located in Savannah, Grand Cayman, ICCI, founded in 1970, is affiliated with several universities in the US. It offers degrees, including Masters', and diploma courses in accounting, banking, business administration, secretarial skills and other subjects. Private School Listings
- Cayman Prep. & High School - PO Box 10013APO, Walkers Rd., George Town - 345.949.9115
- Cayman International School - PO Box 31364SMB, Camana Bay, George Town - 345.945.4664
- First Baptist Christian School - PO Box 10275APO, 920 Crewe Rd., George Town - 345.945.7906
- Montessori By The Sea - PO Box 11747APO, Old Prospect Rd., Prospect - 345.947-0684
- St. Ignatius Catholic School - PO Box 2638GT, Walkers Rd., George Town - 345.949.1994
- Triple C School - PO Box 10498APO, 74 Fairbanks Rd., George Town - 345.949.6022
- Truth for Youth School - PO Box 515GT, Walkers Rd., George Town - 345.949.7190
Click here for a listings of schools in the Cayman Islands.
