Category: News

The Division of Education, Research, and Technology (DERTech) has proudly launched the SMART Classroom Enhancement Project: a groundbreaking initiative set to revolutionise education in Tobago. In collaboration with Education Solution Specialists (ESS), Phase 2 of the Secondary School SMART Classroom project focuses on driving technology adoption in education. Phase 1, which included installing SMART Board Interactive Displays and LumioTM learning software, has already been completed. Phase 2 will empower teachers with tools, training, and support to leverage technology, with the emphasis on Mathematics education. Assemblyman Zorisha Hackett, Secretary of Education, Research, and Technology, emphasised the project’s significance in providing quality education. Mr Brendon Butts, Managing Director of ESS, stressed on the importance of technology in enhancing learning experiences. Sponsored by FLOW and RBC, and with support from Smart Technologies, the project now aims to enhance learning outcomes and create a dynamic digitalised education ecosystem. With the collaborative efforts of DERTech, ESS, FLOW, RBC, and SMARTTechnologies, the SMART Classroom Enhancement Project is poised to set a new standard for educational excellence in Tobago. By integrating advanced technology and comprehensive teacher support, this initiative promises to enrich the learning experience, particularly in Mathematics, and ensure that students are well-equipped for the digital age!

THE Tobago district dominated the Atlantic National Primary Schools track and field championship at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Wednesday, as they landed a total of 24 gold medals and edged the Port of Spain district to the top spot in the intriguing meet. With Victores Ludorum in varying age groups, Tobago racked up a staggering 497 points, with PoS tallying 474 points. The Victoria district grabbed third spot with 336 points, while St Patrick tallied 289 points for fourth spot. The young Tobago athletes accumulated 14 silver and four bronze medals respectively to go along with their 24 gold medals, while PoS captured 43 medals in total (17 gold, 16 silver and ten bronze). Competing in the girls’ under-11 age group, PoS’ Keley Roach finished as the top female athlete in the meet and she racked up 28 points after getting podium finishes in four races. Roach edged out Tobago’s Natalia Trim in an exciting girls’ under-11 100-metre final when she sped to the line in 14.43 seconds. Trim clocked 14.51 seconds for second spot, while St George East’s Noami Phillip placed a close third in 14.56 seconds. Roach was made to settle for silver in the under-11 300-metre final, while she and Trim had another grand battle in the under-11 150-metre final. This time around, the Tobago athlete exacted revenge when she crossed the line in 21.75 seconds. Roach clocked 21.85 seconds. Roach also secured gold as a member of PoS’ girls’ under-11 4×100-metre team. Tobago showed their class in the popular track disciplines, as well as numerous field events and the quartet of Kenya Muir, Kellon Potts, Kiome Reid and Azzirion Williams finished as the top athletes in their respective categories. Potts was a cut above the rest in the boys’ 13-15 age group, and he strode away with the Victor Ludorum award after capturing the shot put and discus titles. In both the discus and shot put events, Potts wrestled off the challenge of PoS’ Isaiah Goodridge to claim gold, while he also added silver in the javelin throw. Muir was the girls’ Victrix Ludorum in the same 13-15 category, and she showed off her stamina in the girls’ 1,200-metre open race when she beat South East’s Chennai Moore and North East’s Jolana Elder to the line in a keenly contested race. In the respective 200-metre and 400-metre girls’ 13-15 races, Muir met her match when she was upstaged by St George East’s Keyana Daniel in both finals. Though tiny, Williams also showed his potential when he earned the Victor Ludorum honour in the boys’ under-11 category. He won both the ball throw and the 150-metre events, while he copped silver in the 100-metre event. He also formed part of a Tobago quartet which grabbed silver in the 4×100-metre relay. Reid wasn’t to be left out in the girls’ under-9 category, and she shone brightest in her age group when she sped away with the 60-metre and 80-metre titles. In both races, she just edged PoS’ Amirah Greene to the finish line. In the girls’ under-9 4×50-metre relay, Reid and her Tobago quartet were pushed to second by Greene’s PoS team. The Pos district showed poise with their baton passing in Mucurapo and they also took the top spot in the respective boys’ and girls’ under-11 4×100-metre relays, to go along with the boys’ under-13 4×100-metre crown. Article courtesy NEWSDAY

I.M.P.A.C.T Inspiring Matriculation through Performance Assessment and Curriculum Transformation The Division of Education, Research and Technology (DERTech) proudly presents I.M.P.A.C.T. (Inspiring Matriculation through Performance Assessment and Curriculum Transformation), a long-term performance enhancement project that is geared toward improving students’ competencies thereby unveiling their full potential. The recently concluded 2023 Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination resulted in 159 of Tobago’s students (15%) scoring less than 30%. This apparent decline in performance necessitates a systematic and strategic approach to improving students’ performance thereby influencing higher levels of matriculation. I.M.P.A.C.T will replace the traditional vacation program and will target the following three tiers of students: a)    Those who scored 0-30% at the 2023 SEA exams b)    Those who scored 31-50% at the 2023 SEA exams c)    Prospective Standard 5 students who are deemed at risk based on their Mathematics and English Language scores at their End of Year Exam. Sessions will commence on Monday 17th July, 2023 and resume at the beginning of each term of the academic year 2023/2024 in the first instance. Cycle 2 will run for four weeks until Monday 14th August, 2023 between the hours of 8:00am to 2:30pm on  Mondays – Thursdays. Face to face instruction will be conducted at 20 centres island wide with lunches to be provided at each session. Registration begins at 1:00pm on 17th July, 2023 and closes at 12:00 noon on 14th August, 2023. I.M.P.A.C.T strategically focuses on improving the holistic (academic and co-curricular) development of all learners in the education sector through quality and equitable teaching and learning strategies that will unveil learning potential and provide varied learning experiences. Parents are advised that their child/children can be enrolled by submitting an online application, downloading the form and submitting online or by collecting and dropping off at the Curriculum, Planning and Development Unit (Second floor DERTech). For further information contact the Curriculum, Planning and Development Unit at 299-0781 ext 3012/3060 or the Schools’ Supervision Unit at 299-0781 ext 3073. LIST OF CENTRES 1 Ebenezer Methodist 2 Mount St. George Methodist 3 Goodwood Methodist 4 Castara Government 5 Des Vignes Road Government 6 Montgomery Government 7 Bon Accord Government 8 Mason Hall Government 9 Plymouth Anglican 10 Speyside Anglican Online Forms Teacher Registration Form Student Registration Form Downloadable Forms Teacher Registration Form Student Registration Form