By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE new school term begins in full swing from today (Monday, September 5, 2022) and the Ministry of Education will be distributing 7,000 laptops to pupils and teachers from this week.
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly in a video statement issued on Sunday said a main focus for this year would be the ministry’s digital transformation programme.
This comprises 13 projects including the transition to e-books, the digitisation of all teacher and student records and the introduction of e-classrooms for all teachers.
“These projects are currently ongoing and just like the online SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment) portal, where you got your results at home, these initiatives will result in a paradigm shift in the efficiency and effectiveness of the ministry’s operations” she said.
Dr Gadsby-Dolly said the Ministry of Education will continue to focus on the quality of education offered to pupils as the country’s future literally depends on it.
The new academic year will end on July 7, 2023.
Over 300,00 pupils across all levels of learning are expected to show up for physical classes today.
Dr Gadsby-Dolly said without a properly educated workforce, Trinidad and Tobago will not accomplish Government’s vision for 2030.
During the two months school vacation, the minister said while physical repairs were undergoing, the ministry was also working at policies to improve education, including the National School Discipline Matrix and the revised operations of selected secondary schools.
Those decisions have been approved by Cabinet and will be implement soon, she said.
Infrastructural repairs will also be ongoing at the cost of over $600 million Dr Gadsby-Dolly said.
She also thanked parents and pupils who were a part of the ministry Vacation Revision Programme.
Dr Gadsby-Dolly repeated her call to parents to work with teachers to maintain school discipline.
“Our children need us more than ever in secondary schools. Let us monitor them, guide them, help them and save them,” she said.
Dr Gadsby-Dolly also thanked teachers, principals and school managers pledging commitment to work with them and other stakeholders who made recommendations for improving the system.
She also thanked communities for additional contributions.
While the global education sector has its challenges, Trinidad and Tobago as well, the nation had much to be proud of.
While the local education system was not a perfect one, “it has served us well” she said.
