The Ministry Education is calling on the public to offer meaningful dialogue instead of pointing fingers at what one might perceive to be the shortcoming of the Ministry in responding to the pandemic.

“As it stood globally, the sudden impact of Covid-19 crippled education systems worldwide. Trinidad and Tobago had to quickly figure out how education delivery could be continued while recognizing that normal was now non-existent,” the Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

It said through consultation and collaboration, it was able to allow access to digital platforms for teaching and learning and insists that it has been  transparent with the public from the onset of this pandemic in highlighting the various challenges that digital learning presents.

What has happened as a result, according to the Ministry, is that many stakeholders and good Samaritans have stepped up and offered services that have benefitted students on a national level.

It said moving forward, it is imperative for all citizens now to understand that the government of this country continues to emphasize the importance of education for all and now more than ever, focus must be placed on solutions rather than disagreements and baseless complaints.

The statement comes in response to concerns highlighted at Friday’s Joint Select Committee meeting, set up to assess the Ministry of Education’s strategies for ensuring continuity in the delivery of education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlighted criticisms included a belief that close to 90,000 students did not have devices, a lack of teacher training, and social support not being provided to parents resulting in education being side-lined. The Ministry said while on the one hand a group has chosen to complain, on the other Boards and Associations have engaged in teacher training, provision of devices/connectivity and in some instances offered social support with the understanding that this is an unprecedented situation and it calls for all persons to do his/her part as far as possible.

 As the country approaches what would have been the end of an academic year, the Ministry said COVID-19 has allowed much needed discussions to happen at every level of the education system.

“It goes without saying that not everyone will be pleased with what has happened, however the goal is to provide access, quality, equity and good governance in all schools and school environments for our students,” it said.