Over two hundred and fifty (250) education stakeholders, parents and ordinary citizens attended the Ministry of Education public consultation to have a say on the Draft Education Policy Paper 2017 -2022 at UTT, Valsayn on Tuesday 13th October, 2018.
The document titled ‘A Look Into The Future’ focuses on six key areas of the education system such as Management and Administration; Early Childhood Care and Education; Primary Education; Secondary Education; Technical and Vocational Education &Training and Higher Education. The Draft Education Policy Document was formulated following a Public Consultation on Education in 2016
Addressing participants, Dr. the Honourable Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education highlighted the need for greater emphasis to be given to Special Education.
“In terms of Special Education, whereas we have made some strides, there is an ocean of work to be done. I am absolutely sure that we have gifted students. What are they doing? What have we provided for them? We have students with physical impairments. Have we done enough to fundamentally include them in a way that is not a conceit. We have students with other kinds of concerns that we have not dealt with. The hearing impaired, the visually impaired. There is work to be done.”
The National Consultation on Education (NCE) is intended to provide opportunities for individuals and stakeholder groups from every geographic area and echelon of the society of Trinidad and Tobago to share their concerns and recommendations for the improvement of the education system.
Contributions from the floor were made by representatives of Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), American Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AMCHAM), University of the West Indies, (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, National Association of Principals of Secondary Schools Association (NAPSA), Moms For Literacy, Dyslexia Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Adult Literacy Association (ALTA) and Blind Welfare Association among others.
The second public consultation is planned for next Tuesday 23rd October, 2018 at Naparima College, San Fernando, while the third and final public consultation is scheduled for Tobago.