Education in Trinidad and Tobago
Encyclopedia
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% http://www.indexmundi.com/trinidad_and_tobago/literacy.html. This exceptionally high literacy rate can be attributed, in part, to free tuition from Kindergarten (Pre-School) to University
. In addition, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, via the Ministry of Education provides free transport, books and meals to students of primary and secondary age.
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 CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) examinations, which is done in the third year of this system. The last major and final exam of the system which is done on the fifth year of school is (CXC)Caribbean Examinations Council
,which is therefore 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 is also free for all, however, up to the level of the Bachelors degrees for all students of the University of the West Indies
(UWI), 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.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
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% http://www.indexmundi.com/trinidad_and_tobago/literacy.html. This exceptionally high literacy rate can be attributed, in part, to free tuition from Kindergarten (Pre-School) to University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. In addition, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, via the Ministry of Education provides free transport, books and meals to students of primary and secondary age.
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 CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) examinations, which is done in the third year of this system. The last major and final exam of the system which is done on the fifth year of school is (CXC)Caribbean Examinations Council
Caribbean Examinations Council
The Caribbean Examinations Council or CXC was established in 1972 under Agreement by the Participating Governments in the Area to conduct such examinations as it may think appropriate and award certificates and diplomas on the results of any such examinations so conducted...
,which is therefore the equivalent of the British GCE O levels
GCE 'O' Level
The Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Examination is an annual examination conducted in Singapore...
. 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
GCE Advanced Level
The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, commonly referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cameroon, and the Cayman Islands...
. Both CSEC and CAPE examinations are held by the Caribbean Examinations Council
Caribbean Examinations Council
The Caribbean Examinations Council or CXC was established in 1972 under Agreement by the Participating Governments in the Area to conduct such examinations as it may think appropriate and award certificates and diplomas on the results of any such examinations so conducted...
(CXC).
Public Primary and Secondary education is free for all, although private and religious schooling is available for a fee. Tertiary education is also free for all, however, up to the level of the Bachelors degrees for all students of the University of the West Indies
University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies , is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica,...
(UWI), the University of Trinidad and Tobago
University of Trinidad and Tobago
The University of Trinidad and Tobago, also known as UTT, is a state owned university in Trinidad and Tobago established in 2004. Its main campus, currently under construction, will be located at Wallerfield in Trinidad...
(UTT), the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), the University of the Southern Caribbean
University of the Southern Caribbean
The University of the Southern Caribbean, also known as USC, is a private university operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The campus is located on of land in the Maracas Valley of the twin island of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago....
(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 CouncilCaribbean Examinations CouncilThe Caribbean Examinations Council or CXC was established in 1972 under Agreement by the Participating Governments in the Area to conduct such examinations as it may think appropriate and award certificates and diplomas on the results of any such examinations so conducted...
(CXC) - List of schools in Trinidad and Tobago
- List of universities in Trinidad and Tobago
External links
- The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education - Official website
- http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/02/13/kangaloo-gate-still-open-university-students - Trinidad Guardian- 13th Feb. 2009