“[…] The official Ministry of Education press release announcing the hair code […] works to trivialise the issue and divorce it from its substantive context. “[….] An interview with former principal of Fatima Collage, Father Gregory Augustine two weeks after the press release illuminates the point. On 20 July he …
Read More »Vaneisa: Education Minister’s casual cruelty on high temperatures burns
Cruel has to be the word to describe the response of Education Minister Nyan Gadsby-Dolly to the question of how her ministry was dealing with high temperatures in classrooms. How else could one interpret her offensive comments that teachers and principals are used to it and know how to manage …
Read More »Dear Editor: Enlightened Trinity College students taught nation a valuable lesson
“[…] Some of our citizens, unfortunately, seem to hold the view that the natural hair type of students of African descent and their African ancestry/heritage and culture are not valid considerations in the crafting and implementation of school rules. “[…] It is refreshing that like in 1970, the heroes of …
Read More »MoE passes National School Hair Code, students allowed new range of hairstyles
Schools can no longer penalise students with “locs, twists, plaits, afros, cornrows, weaves or braids” thanks to a new “National School Hair Code”, which takes effect nationwide from the new academic year in September 2023. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) after “discussions with the Tobago …
Read More »Vaneisa: Indifference has a cost; public servants must serve the people
Boorish, sexist, callous and unsympathetic responses to complaints sum up the way the public generally feels treated when they approach our state institutions. A few examples might show how widespread it is. At a recent community crime meeting in Warrenville hosted by the TTPS, residents from Cunupia and Warrenville spoke …
Read More »Noble: T&T’s Education system still broken after 60 years—and all we hear is “Yada! Yada! Yada!”
In the long-running comedy series, Seinfeld, the phrase “yada, yada, yada” became popularised. Marcy, a character, used the expression to hide important details, while George used it to avoid speaking about an unpleasant incident. When they discuss their use of the idiom, George discovers that Marcy is a shoplifter. The …
Read More »Demming: Use Jamaica’s Champs example to fire up local sporting passions
Two of our Ministers recently attended Jamaica’s Champs Track and Field Event. This was a great idea to expand the education of Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, the minister of Education, and Shamfa Cudjoe, the minister of Sports and Community Development. If their interest was really in coming up with a solution to …
Read More »Noble: Will they pick up a book or a gun? Why school violence was long in coming
In this week’s episode of school violence, we saw a lack of respect for school authorities writ large. The accustomed respect for the office of the Principal was missing. The core incivility of life in our society has been demonstrated for all to witness. The National Parent-Teacher Association President opined: …
Read More »Dear Editor: Know why there’s a teacher shortage? Ask the MoE when last they paid substitute teachers
“[…] The Ministry of Education seems not to care about substitute teachers who make themselves available to fill the gap for full-time teachers. Sometimes four months after the execution of our duties, payment is still outstanding. It may be six months after too, or even an entire year. “[…] I …
Read More »MoE apologises to Beekhoo and Subero, names two winners each for SEA President’s awards
“[…] In a situation where two highly performing students have both excelled academically and have been both—through no fault of their own—promised the highest accolade of the President’s Medal and have both declared their willingness to share this accolade, as an exception to any earlier practice, this option has been …
Read More »Noble: ‘Bringing children back into school is not a simple case of opening the doors’
Education is an essential foundation of a society. Yet, the pandemic has laid bare the reality of our school system. Thanks to the Ministry of Health’s media conferences, we have been able to know the death rate and the capacity of our hospitals. But there are no comparable statistics available …
Read More »Gonzales: Vaccine hesitancy torpedoed 2021 SSFL season; Jamaica student athletes all vaccinated
Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) president Merere Gonzales has suggested that vaccine hesitancy among Trinidad and Tobago’s student population could be a key factor in the Government’s decision to block schools football for the second successive season. Gonzales said the SSFL executive had been in communication with the ministries of …
Read More »