Education for all

THE EDITOR: The UNDP National Human Development Report 2000, entitled “Youth at Risk,” presents a critical analysis of the neglect confronting the nation’s youth in the context of education.

The UNDP Report states, “The system of education in Trinidad and Tobago starts with an input of some 93 percent of the five year old population. By the time students reached secondary level, less than 50 percent are still there. By the end of sixth form, the percentage is eight to ten percent and at the tertiary level, less than six percent.” The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, as a matter of urgency, must create a knowledge-based society through human development. Economists agree that human capital development provides a significant degree of certainty for economic growth given that it increases the productive potential of its citizenship.

Professor Hill (2003) reasoned, “From an international business perspective, one important aspect of education is its role as a determinant of national competitive advantage. The availability of a pool of skilled and educated workers seems to be major determinant of the likely economic success of a country.” The implication is that investment in human knowledge and creative abilities is critical to the wealth generating power of a nation. Expansion and availability of tertiary level education ensures the stimulation and generation of the nation’s human productive capacity. As a matter of national policy, the Government must attempt to develop the entire human resource capital of Trinidad and Tobago. Access to higher education must be a privilege for all citizens of this country. Introduction of selected preference or discrimination based on the financial status, gender or ethnicity impedes the entitlement of citizens to equal societal benefits.

The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), due to commence in 2005, will present a major threat to uncompetitive companies and individuals in this country. This affects the entire nation in a very real sense. Thus, the Government must provide employees and entrepreneurs that are competent and contemporary to confront these challenges ahead. Therefore, the Government must make a deliberate effort at ensuring that the nation as a whole benefits from its developmental policies and social programmes.

Roger Gopaul
Port-of-Spain