Education in Trinidad and Tobago
| Ministry of Education[1] | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Education | The Honourable Mr. Antony Garcia, MP |
| General details | |
| Primary languages | English |
| Literacy (2003) | |
| Total | 98.55% |
| Male | 99.1% |
| Female | 98% |
| Primary | % (%attendance rate) |
Education in Trinidad and Tobago is free and compulsory between ages 5 and 16. Trinidad and Tobago is considered one of the most educated countries in the World with a literacy rate exceeding 98%.[2] This exceptionally high literacy rate can be attributed, in part, to free tuition from Kindergarten (Pre-School) to University.
The education system in Trinidad and Tobago mirrors the British education system. Children generally start Pre-School at the early age of 3 years. This level of tuition is not mandatory but most Trinbagonians start their children's schooling at this stage as children are expected to have basic reading and writing skills when they commence primary school. Students proceed to a primary school at the age of five. Seven years are spent in primary school. During the final year of primary school, students prepare for and sit the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) which determines the secondary school the child is to attend. For most children and parents, this is a very stressful period.
Students attend secondary school for a minimum of five years, their first major exam is the local NCSE [National Certificate of Secondary Education] examinations, which is done in the third year of this system and administered by the Ministry of Education. The next major exam of the system which is done on the fifth year of school is CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate), which is the equivalent of the British GCE O levels. Children with satisfactory grades may opt to continue high school for a further two-year period, leading to the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), the equivalent of GCE A levels. Both CSEC and CAPE examinations are held by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Public Primary and Secondary education is free for all, although private and religious schooling is available for a fee.
Tertiary Education
| Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training[3] | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Tertiary Education | The Honourable Senator Mr. Fazal Karim |
Trinidad and Tobago offers free Tertiary education to its citizens up to the undergraduate level at accredited public and select private institutions. Postgraduate degrees are paid up to 50% by the Government at accredited institutions. This benefit is given to the citizens under a programme called Government Assisted Tuition Expenses Programme (GATE) and it is managed by the Funding and Grants Administration Division of the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training.[4]
Institutions at which GATE can be utilized include University of the West Indies (UWI) St Augustine Campus, The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) and certain other local accredited institutions. Government also currently subsidises some Masters programmes. Both the Government and the private sector also provide financial assistance in the form of academic scholarships to gifted or needy students for study at local, regional or international universities.
See also
- Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)
- List of schools in Trinidad and Tobago
- List of universities in Trinidad and Tobago
- List of Trinidad and Tobago special schools
References
External links
- The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education - Official website
- Article - Trinidad Guardian - 13 February 2009
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