Cultural Transformation through Curriculum Enhancement

About

The achievement of the National Developmental Plan, Vision 2030, relies on the citizens of T&T possessing and displaying positive Values, Attitudes and Behaviours (VABs). This requires Cultural Transformation.

The GORTT considers education a vehicle to drive cultural transformation, with a goal of creating citizens with positive VABs that will drive the development trajectory of T&T toward the realization of Vision 2030.

Vision 2030 Theme I: Putting People First: Nuturing Our Greatest Asset, Goal 7 makes the following recommendations for the cultural transformation which is required:

“Trinidad and Tobago will have a modern, relevant education and training system.…The relevance of the education system also pertains to ensuring that positive values and behaviours are instilled in our nation’s youth towards building a progressive society and a disciplined workforce.”

“Include the concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship as part of the curricula; school activities and teacher training models… Create awareness of careers in science and the use of technology and the value of research.

Through the education system and religious institutions, instil values such as goodwill, honesty, respect, tolerance, integrity and civic pride.”

Strategic Initative/Action 7.3 of Goal 7, Theme I states:

“Revise the school curriculum to emphasise core values, nationalism and workforce readiness skills. Core values must be taught in schools. These include discipline, production, tolerance, civic responsibility and lifelong learning. Knowledge of our cultural diversity must be taught in order to promote cohesiveness and, our country’s history and geography must also be imparted. Moreover, workforce readiness skills like problem solving, innovativeness, creativity along with entrepreneurial abilities must be supported throughout the education system. A culture of research and development must also be inculcated in all tertiary level institutions, both public and private. Sports, culture and physical education must also be fully integrated.”

Cultural Transformation through education is not an immediate process, but an achievable goal over the course of 7 years, which represents the time a typical student takes to progress through all the stages of primary school. It requires the inculcation of positive VABs, and adjustments of the school curriculum, timetabling, assessment and student experiences to prioritize not only academic education, but moral, physical and cultural and arts education, and the development of technical, life and 21st century skills.

Ongoing Professional Development for teachers and Principals, classroom support and resources for implementation, monitoring, data collection, recording and evaluation, the development of Professional Learning Communities, collaboration and partnership with parents and stakeholders, and continuous infrastructural development of schools must be simultaneously pursued to achieve the intended cultural transformation.

Target Audience

This policy is intended for a broad spectrum of partners, encompassing both internal and external contributors who play vital roles in driving the cultural transformative process we envision. This includes key figures within the Ministry of Education, dedicated school principals, educators, engaged parents and guardians, eager learners, and the wider citizenry.

Key Activities/Elements

In alignment with Vision 2030 and the Ministry of Education’s commitment to counteracting the adverse impacts of negative subcultural influences, the following actionable steps have been identified:

  • Students will be exposed to an adjusted curriculum (including timetabling and assessment) which prioritizes the following areas of development:
    • Academic
    • Moral
    • Physical
    • Culture and Arts
    • TVET
  • Students will be exposed to a range of mandatory school experiences which will promote the development of life and 21st Century skills.
  • Teachers and Principals will benefit from ongoing professional development to support effective classroom delivery, implementation of school activities, and school operations.
  • A Revised Assessment Framework for Primary Level will be designed and implemented.
  • Specific Guidelines will be provided to schools, students and parents on various aspects of school operation and activities.
  • The formation and strengthening of Professional Learning Communities will be pursued for teachers and principals.
  • The Monitoring and Evaluation function of School Supervisors and Curriculum Officers will be optimized.
  • The continuous emphasis on school infrastructure upgrade and maintenance will be sustained.
  • The digitization of school data, including student records, assessment results, student attendance will be completed to provide critical data for monitoring and evaluation.
  • The emphasis on filling critical teacher, middle management, Principal, Supervisor and Curriculm Officer and Coordinator vacancies will be upheld.
  • Guidelines for Stakeholder Engagement at schools will be implemented.
  • The approved Cultural Transformation through Education Programme 2023-27 will be shared with the public on the MOE Website as well as social media.
  • Discussions will be held with institutions providing Teacher Training programs to ensure that requisite amendments in programming which support the Cultural Transformation through Education Programme 2023-27 are implemented.

Contact

EducationPolicyInfo@moe.gov.tt