The purpose of this paper is to document and discuss the 1981 reforms in teacher education in Jamaica. These important reforms have not yet been documented elsewhere and will no doubt be the subject of future research and debate within the education community. This paper:
 

• Identifies the main elements of the teacher education system that existed in Jamaica and the Caribbean, almost unchanged, up to 1953. 
• Identifies the major elements of the 1953 and 1966 teacher education reforms. 
• Describes and discusses the main elements of the 1981 teacher education reforms.