There is a lack of clarity on what quality education means and how it could be achieved. This study examines this question from the perspective of secondary school students in Jamaica and Trinidad. The study also sought to ascertain whether there were significant country, school type and gender differences in the students’ perceptions .A convergent mixed methods design was used for the research.

This study sought to determine whether there are significant gender and school type differences in the value that Jamaican secondary school students attach to education. Data was collected from 368 students from nine secondary schools and analysed using descriptive statistics, and independent sample T-tests. The results revealed that the students valued education for instrumental purposes and their value of education was moderately low. There were significant gender and school type differences in the value they attached to education.