Hazel Manning Minister of Education Social scientist, Senator Hazel Manning has for 29 years offered services in the study of social development. Before becoming Minister of Education, she was a Specialist Consultant on Social Impact Assessment studies working in Trinidad and Tobago. She was also commissioned by the Caribbean Development Bank on a major project for networking of roads in St. Lucia and has conducted numerous social research projects leading to the design and implementation of social policies. Her work on improving the design and speed of delivery using modern social assessment techniques now lies in the Participatory Methodology processes advocated by the World Bank. Mrs. Manning was a formerly the Head of the Research Division of the Ministry of Planning and Development, Town and Country Planning. She has also held the position of Manager of the Social Affairs Unit of the National Housing Authority with responsibility for managing regulatory tenancies and for the relocation and rehabilitation of communities. She is the Founder and Chairperson of the Self Esteem Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago and represents Trinidad and Tobago as Vice Chair of the Inter American Committee on Education under the framework of the Inter American Council for Integral Development for Ministers of Education of the Organization of American States.

Quality Education for All Young People: Challenges, Trends and Priorities

“Education for All” (EFA) is one of the main objectives of the education system in Trinidad and Tobago with the emphasis on access and quality. To achieve this, national targets are being aligned to the EFA goals to 2015. The ultimate aim is the holistic development of the individual into an adult who is academically sound possessing the coping skills to deal with life’s challenges, and capable of participating fully in the mainstream socio-economic activities of the country. The education system is charged with the responsibility to develop the human resource base to support the major national goal of developed country status by 2020 through the provision of quality education at all levels.

Trinidad and Tobago achieved Universal Primary Education in the 1950’s and Universal Secondary Education in 2000. 106,637 students aged 12 – 18 attend 132 public secondary schools and another 7,766 receive government support to attend private secondary institutions. Steps are being taken presently to achieve universal access at the early childhood level and a Green Paper containing standards to govern early childhood education has been developed.

The reform that is taking place in our education system is designed to provide challenging stimuli to all learners so that they may reach their fullest potential. We have redesigned the curriculum to give prominence to the infusion of Information and Communication Technology, Technology Education and the Visual and Performing Arts and as a result all secondary schools are being equipped with computer and media laboratories. A Student Support Services Division provides counseling, career guidance, prescriptive and diagnostic services.

There is also the provision of school transportation, school meals (breakfast and lunch), a textbook rental program and special materials for students with disabilities. A Quality Assurance Team has been charged with the responsibility to monitor the effectiveness of these measures and a system of national assessment at primary and secondary levels is in place to assist in evaluating the performance of the education system. To ensure that the quality within our system matches international standards, an International Desk is being established to take advantage of global educational initiatives.

The Secondary Education Modernisation Program supports the professional development of teachers and encourages them to engage in action research and workshops where they can learn from each other. The Teachers’ Training Colleges are being restructured and the University of the West Indies has expanded its graduate and postgraduate training program for teachers and school administrators. Through a recently established Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training we have set a target to make every teacher, a teacher of reading in order to improve literacy at all levels.

The largest allocation of the country’s financial resources is to the Ministry of Education, which receives 15% of the national budget. In return the Ministry delivers a system that is all-inclusive, since we are a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious society where various groups co-exist peacefully. We provide education for those with special needs, those with disabilities, the gifted children and those who live under less fortunate socio-economic conditions.

For the out-of-school youth there is public education in the form of radio programs, which educate them on issues such as HIV/AIDS and parenting skills. A Distance Education Unit has been established and the Adult Education Unit is being strengthened. Skills training are provided for parents and support is given to various initiatives that encourage parental involvement in student learning. There is also a strong partnership with the Homework Centre project of the National Parent Teachers’ Association.

The Ministry of Education partners with other ministries such as the Ministry of Health for visual and auditory screening of students and the Ministry of National Security with whom we work together on a National Joint Action Plan for school discipline and security. Other government agencies such as Social Services, Youth Affairs, Health, Community Development, and Gender Affairs support our schools in many and varied ways. There are other partners in the private sector and corporate sector and among non-governmental and community based organisations.

Institutional strengthening activities have been undertaken as the Ministry of Education restructures its administrative and technical units and decentralises its operations. A comprehensive communications strategy is in place to support the Ministry’s strategic plan 2002 – 2006. A public awareness programme is being designed to market the many reforms and engage our staff, teachers and students in sharing their experiences with the national community.

As Minister of Education I am confident that the road is paved for success in the 21st Century. As we continue to develop our national Education For All Plan to the year 2015 we are mindful of the regional targets as set out in the Caribbean EFA Plan as well as those set out in the Dakar Framework of Action. Our education system is dynamic, ever ready to cater to the needs of our changing society, ensuring that our students are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and aptitudes to enter the labour market - locally and globally. Indeed, it is an exciting time for our society and for our education system, as we forge ahead to achieve the vision of - Developed Country Status by 2020.