Remedial Education Policy
About
Schools closed in March 2020, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were engaged in online schooling in their homes. Most students only returned to physical school in April 2022. Though online schooling did provide a critical level of educational continuity, it is globally recognised that it is not a substitute for face-to-face school, especially for children at the early childhood and primary levels.
One of the most deleterious effects of prolonged school closure is the learning loss experienced by students. The Curriculum Planning and Development Division (CPDD) of the Ministry of Education (MOE) provided a Diagnostic Test for administration by teachers in Mathematics and English Language Arts in October 2021. The results showed clear learning gaps. Based on this data, the Ministry of Education has identified eighty (80) primary and twenty-six (26) secondary schools in Trinidad that will receive specific focus to increase school and student performance.
Target Audience
Students, staff and parents of 106 primary and secondary schools throughout Trinidad
Key Activities/Elements
This Remedial Education Policy involves the development of a comprehensive, multifaceted, and cohesive system of support which will enable students to overcome barriers to learning and re-engage them in classroom instruction. This involves six classroom and school-wide areas:
- enhancing regular classroom strategies to enable learning (e.g, improving instruction for students who have become disengaged from learning at school and for those with mild-moderate learning and behavior problems)
- supporting transitions (i.e., assisting students and families as they negotiate school and class changes and many other transitions)
- increasing home and school connections
- responding to, and where feasible, preventing crises
- increasing community involvement and support (outreaching to develop greater community involvement and support, including enhanced use of volunteers)
- facilitating student and family access to effective services and special assistance as needed.
Specific activities under the Remedial Education Policy involve:
- Employment of Learning Support Assistants
- Employment of additional School Social Workers, Senior School Social Workers and Guidance Councillors
- Implementation of the Vacation Revision Programme during the July/August 2023 Vacation period
- Training of Teachers, Middle Management, Principals, Curriculum Officers and Schools Supervisors in Leadership, remedial Math, English Language Arts and Writing
- After School Support programme for Standards 3 -5
- Implementation of Restorative Practices in Schools
- Upgrading of Facilities for Student Support
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