Page 29 - CAPE Caribbean Studies Study Guide Sample_Neat

Module 2 Issues in Caribbean development

Due to the increased demand from employers for technical skills, the
curriculum has been reformed. A good example of this is the introduction
of Information Technology not only at the ordinary level but also at the
advanced level or CAPE level. Curriculum reforms have also seen a shift
towards technical vocational subjects such as welding, metalwork, auto and
diesel, electrical and air-conditioning maintenance being offered to both boys
and girls.
Funding of education

In most cases education is free to everyone since the government pays
all expenses for school from primary- to secondary-level education. The
government has recognised the importance of education and that is why they
have made education free to all.

Individuals must have the appropriate grades in order to get into tertiary
institutions. In Trinidad and Tobago, the government offers programmes that
help to pay for tertiary education opportunities. However, the fees are paid
only if students pass in the required number of subjects. If they do not, the
students have to repay all of the fees to the government.
Many universities have also established offshore campuses. In the case of the
University of the West Indies, it has spread over the region and has three
main campuses in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad. The university has also set
up distance learning and online programmes, so that people anywhere in the
world can study at the University of the West Indies via the internet.

✓ Exam tip

CASE STUDY
In 2010, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago You must be able to analyse the
(GORTT) launched an initiative called the eCAL programme, or education policy of at least one
e-connect and learn, where every student entering Form 1 received a free Caribbean territory, and discuss the
laptop. The idea was to infuse ICT into the classroom. ways in which this policy promotes
of hinders development.
Objectives of eCAL:
■ to leverage the potential of ICT to significantly enhance the Trinidad
and Tobago education system Key points
■ to build national capacity to effectively utilise ICTs, thereby
improving Trinidad and Tobago’s competitiveness internationally The quality and relevance of
■
■ to improve citizen access to ICT addressing the emerging digital education in the Caribbean tends
divide. to facilitate development.
Goals of eCAL: ■ There have been many
■ to enhance the learning environment for students attempts to move away from
the traditional academic fields
■ to improve the quality of instruction and support the infusion of ICT of study to a more technical
in the development of 21st-century skills in students vocational field.
■ to reduce the inequity in access to computers and information
■ Curriculum reforms have brought
between students from wealthy and poor families
about changes in the workforce,
■ to raise achievement through specific interventions such as improving
making the population more
understanding through the use of education software
technically competent.
■ to facilitate the development of collaborative teaching and learning
■ Education funding is still seen
within the school, among schools and between teacher and student.
as a cause for concern in many
Source: Ministry of Education, Trinidad and Tobago territories.
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