By Faith Edwards
PRIME Minister Stuart Young said the government’s top priority is reforming the education system to better support young people who are not academically inclined.
Speaking during the People’s National Movement (PNM) Public Meeting at Point Fortin, Tuesday night, Young recalled a conversation with a young man who expressed frustration over difficulties in finding a job after finishing school and now difficulties in getting a house.
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In response, Young said the PNM plans to modernise the education system to better cater to students with technical and vocational interests.
“Not every student is academically inclined. Not every student wants to do what the book says,” he said.
Young said. “We are going to prioritise your tax dollars to ensure that schools have the resources for technical and vocational training.”
He said while some schools offer tech-voc programmes, there has not been enough focus in certain areas.
“Every citizen needs a plumber. Every citizen needs a mason, a joiner, someone who can do that technical vocation work, and you are no less a citizen for excelling in those areas than the brightest doctor or engineer,” Young said.
The PNM leader also said he had discussions with CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley about revising the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) syllabus to reflect current times.
Young said, “She agrees that CXC needs to change. With a PNM Prime Minister, there is a commitment to work with others in the region to reform the system for our young people.”
“That’s the first thing we are going to look at, how do we improve and reform our education system to start so people don’t feel left behind, you don’t feel, ‘well if I am not good at science, or I am not good at history’ it makes you any less of a citizen, no, because we require and we have to provide, that is the first thing.”
Young added that the government had already taken steps to empower youth through the creation of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service, led by Minister Foster Cummings.
“It is this government, for the first time in history, that established this ministry,” he said.
Young said, “Tobago will get its own MiLAT programme when we are voted in on April 28.”
Young said the PNM will continue to invest in the ministry so that young people can learn trades such as operating heavy machinery, air conditioning, and other practical skills that can lead to entrepreneurship.
“We’re going to give them the skills to be successful, start their own businesses, work with friends, and build a future.”
