#Providenciales, July 26, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A tailor-made education curriculum is under construction and will impact learners at the primary and early secondary school levels first, according to the Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture, Library and Social Services which is supported by the European Union in this bold initiative.
The
Education Sector Plan 2018-2022 reports that: “Deliberation on the new
curriculum approach will lead to ‘A curriculum that is relevant to the children
of TCI’. The Executive Summary of the 2006 to 2010 Plan says that the
‘curriculum is in need of updating to improve its relevance to TC Islanders
facing the demands of the 21st Century’ and that it should ‘speak to the needs
of diverse communities in TCI’ whilst displaying ‘sensitivity to the culture of
the TCI.”
Improving
Curriculum and Strategies for Assessment is the impetus for the changes.
A
major difference this academic year was the final run of the Grade Six
Achievement Test or GSAT. Replacing the GSAT is CPEA or Caribbean Primary
Exit Assessment and for secondary schools the CCSLC or Caribbean Certificate of
Secondary Level Competence will be introduced. These changes are expected to
lead to more project-based learning.
The
curriculum changes will also put greater emphasis on: food, nutrition and
fitness; stronger focus on family life, literacy; guidance and counselling and
the introduction of TCI studies. Students will develop portfolios; students
will learn how to set assessment papers and grade them themselves and they will
develop greater responsibility for their learning and help to direct that
process,” said Director of Education, Edgar Howell.
The
Education Sector Plan points to assessment and within the Education Sector
Plan, the various types of assessments, such as Cognitive Assessment Tests are
identified. Training in how to assess students will be provided to all teachers
and in some cases and there will be assessments for identification of
hindrances to healthy learning in children.
There
will also be full implementation of the screening, early identification, and
referral system (SEIRS) for all students 0-2, 4 and 6 years of age and the
Ministry will conduct bio-psycho-social assessment for students with special
education needs.
Some
of the areas to be monitored towards achieving the objectives the Education
Sector Plan include: schools offering HIV and sexuality education; students
transitioning from one grade level to the next; measurement of the dropout rate
and regular reviews of how students are adapting to the curriculum changes.
“Improving the Education System in the TCI…..Together we can do it”
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