Education's Role in Trinidad and Tobago

Education and schooling has always played a pivotal role in the development of societies the world over and specifically in the context of Trinidad and Tobago. Education and schooling in this country as in any other is an investment in citizens that will reap benefits for all through research and innovation, physical and social mobility, improved opportunities and health. Though the exam – driven nature of our system makes it different from North America (Lochan 2005), education remains the means through which we can demonstrate how, as a people we are dependent on each other as we attempt to build communities in which we can live harmoniously despite our cultural differences.

This writer’s interpretation of the statement is that in a democracy, citizens are perceived free within limits of law where rights, equality, social justice and legal support are afforded thus; citizens have to be autonomous yet facilitate the autonomy of the wider society.

In the context of what is Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean our islands developed initially on the struggle of our ancestors who were brought to these islands as slaves and indentured labourers. Because of colonisation the society has evolved into a melting pot of people from different countries. Over the years we have come to appreciate the value of that melting pot of people and culture whose expressions have found prominence on the national stage. One notes the different festivals that are celebrated yearly by religious and other groups in the society. In the Caribbean and specifically in Trinidad and Tobago people are free to engage in maintaining their cultural identity through there different practices. Multiculturalism is alive.

There are two schools of thought on what ...

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...Society and Culture. p. : ill. ; cm

ISBN 976 – 637 – 276 – 4 (pbk)

Trinidad and Tobago. National Task Force on Education. 1994. Education Policy Paper (1993 – 2003) (White Paper). Port of Spain, Trinidad: Ministry of Education.

The Concordat of 1960. Assurances for the Preservation and Character of Denominational Schools. Minister of Education and Culture, on behalf of cabinet, published on 25th December 1960.

The Daily Express, Activist: Governance from ‘elsewhere’ breeds alienation; Wednesday 21st September, 2005.

Trinidad Express. Culture and The Classroom, Education Perspective; Tuesday 12th November 2002. pp. 10.

Walter, R., The Groundings with my Brothers. 1975. The Press of Villiers Publishers Ltd. Ingestre Road, London, WWS.

Winch C., and Gingell J. 2004. Philosophy & Educational Policy – A Critical Introduction. London, Routledge-Falmer.