trinidad and tobago education reform – student stress relief

1. STOP publicizing importance of exams or results.
2. Reduce exams (standardized tests) to mainly one, CXC at age 17 (reform CXC as needed). Younger ages can rely on ‘term tests’ that have NO bearing on if a primary school child graduates to secondary.
3. Guarantee graduation to secondary school – exceptions are few if any. Children are sent to schools in their area. Competition for schooling no longer factors.
4. Grades – do away with NUMBERS. Japan’s approach is NOT to grade in primary school, rather a chosen COMMENT: The report card has three columns (quite satisfactory, satisfactory, needs a bit more work) that serve as guidelines on how well the child is developing and what needs to be targeted for future development. Japan has been rated the number one system worldwide.
5. Free texts and uniforms – text and uniform cost are borne by the state, freeing parents of economic burden. Funds sourced from fossil fuels and other state revenue. Prices negotiated between the state and suppliers.
6. Free digital text books – resemble tablets and the curriculum digitally installed, easily updated, light to carry, reducing not eliminating all paper books and planting Trinidad in a modern age as Japan and South Korea. Japan’s economy is scientifically and technologically based.
7. Do away with bad versus good school – make public schools operate like private ones for example in class hours and teacher quality. This way eliminates competition for the best school.
8. Special needs schools – subsidize fully and investigate reform.
9. School violence and bullies – establish a MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY: among its remit are social workers, who all under its jurisdiction.
10. Guaranteed trade school – upon graduation secondary students get free at ANY in the country, increasing pool of technically proficient citizens. Cost subsidized.
11. Adoption of the Japanese school satchel ‘Randoseru’ – a sturdy, handmade bag for primary school designed to last 6 years. Cost covered by the state to any student that wants, no matter wealth.
12. SEA – is ended. see #2 and 3. An undue stressor.
13. Slow students – as Finland guarantee a social worker and dedicated teacher for individual attention. Have three class teachers in each class. This way no student left behind. See #3
14. Minimal homework – teachers assign no more than 5 – 30 minutes as Finland.

edit – #2 term tests have added ‘practice exams’ regularly done for students which don’t contribute to final grade.

https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/parents-overburdened-by-high-costs-of-preparing-students-for-school-6.2.1479240.b19b2eb207?fbclid=IwAR2AhRZk72uIpWvirHC_FbVNkxwIKJukHXU72Y6_56ieMlJTPIg1-Ai-X7M

http://www.cnc3.co.tt/news/350000-tt-citizens-may-have-mental-health-issues?fbclid=IwAR1kcJYR7B2bYI0BHlTsxu1N2dnRmWHOnfJYQ1h3kR0qFRxM0Jf2rDvaUQw – estimated that 25 percent of T&T’s population or some 350,000 people are living with mental health issues – 2019

https://www.cnc3.co.tt/medic-mental-health-issues-growing-in-adolescents/ – Medic: Mental health issues growing in adolescents – 2021 article of doctor Joanne Paul