History and Evolution of ECCE in Trinidad and Tobago
History and Evolution of Early Childhood Education Care and Development in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is a small twin island country located in the south of the Caribbean. Prior to independence from Britain in 1962, Trinidad was colonized and brought under Spanish, French and later, British rule (Educational System, 2011) and in 1976 Trinidad and Tobago became a republic nation within the commonwealth realm (George, 2001). Following independence in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago continued to shadow the British system of education (Education System, 2011). In Trinidad and Tobago, education is free for all, and compulsory beginning at age six, and ending at age thirteen (AACRAO, 2008), however, early childhood education, between the ages of three and five is not mandatory, but nevertheless, many people enroll their children in early childhood education centers, in order to prepare them for primary school. According to the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago (2013), “an Early Childhood Care and Education Centre refers to all facilities providing learning support, care and development services, to children from three to five years of age”. Throughout time, the early childhood educational system of Trinidad and Tobago has evolved since it’s early beginnings; many milestones have been attained, standards for the provision of early childhood care and education (ECCE) have been created, maintained and improved, and nevertheless, there are plans for further evolution of the system.
History/ The Early Beginnings. The contextual elements of the early childhood education system in Trinidad and Tobago have radically evolved over time (EDC, 2008). In the early years, up until the 1950’s, unqualified providers were offering early childhood care in private settings that did not follow any sort of standards and regulations, as facilities consistently exhibited substandard conditions (EDC, 2008). Beginning in the 1960’s, efforts boosted the “formalization of a
Trinidad and Tobago is a small twin island country located in the south of the Caribbean. Prior to independence from Britain in 1962, Trinidad was colonized and brought under Spanish, French and later, British rule (Educational System, 2011) and in 1976 Trinidad and Tobago became a republic nation within the commonwealth realm (George, 2001). Following independence in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago continued to shadow the British system of education (Education System, 2011). In Trinidad and Tobago, education is free for all, and compulsory beginning at age six, and ending at age thirteen (AACRAO, 2008), however, early childhood education, between the ages of three and five is not mandatory, but nevertheless, many people enroll their children in early childhood education centers, in order to prepare them for primary school. According to the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago (2013), “an Early Childhood Care and Education Centre refers to all facilities providing learning support, care and development services, to children from three to five years of age”. Throughout time, the early childhood educational system of Trinidad and Tobago has evolved since it’s early beginnings; many milestones have been attained, standards for the provision of early childhood care and education (ECCE) have been created, maintained and improved, and nevertheless, there are plans for further evolution of the system.
History/ The Early Beginnings. The contextual elements of the early childhood education system in Trinidad and Tobago have radically evolved over time (EDC, 2008). In the early years, up until the 1950’s, unqualified providers were offering early childhood care in private settings that did not follow any sort of standards and regulations, as facilities consistently exhibited substandard conditions (EDC, 2008). Beginning in the 1960’s, efforts boosted the “formalization of a
References: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. (2008). The educational system of Trinidad and Tobago [pdf file] Draft National Strategic Plan [pdf file]. (n.d). Retrieved October 9, 2014 from http://www.transforme.gov.tt/sites/default/files/library/documents/Vision%202020%20Draft%20National%20Strategic%20Plan%20Trinidad%20and%20Tobago.pdf Education Development Centre, Inc. (2008). Trinidad and Tobago seamless education system project: Early childhood care and education study, final report [pdf file] Educational System of Trinidad and Tobago [pdf file]. (2011). Retrieved October 10, 2014 from, http://photos.state.gov/libraries/port-of-spain/223843/PDFs/EDUCATIONAL%20SYSTEM%20T_amp_T%202011.pdf Manning, H , The Honorable. (2007). Feature address [pdf file]. Retrieved October 12, 2014 from http://www.moe.gov.tt/Docs/Speeches/2007/ArimaWestGovtPrimary.pdf Ministry of Education, Trinidad and Tobago. (2013). ECCE: General Information [online]. Retrieved October 9, 2014 from http://moe.edu.tt/learning/ecce/general-information Ministry of Education, Trinidad and Tobago. (2006). Education for all: Target 2015 [pdf file] Ministry of Education, Trinidad and Tobago. (2005). Proposed standards for regulating early childhood services [pdf file]