WORKSHOP FOR THE CARIBBEAN EDUCATIONAL SECTOR ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF BASIC AND LABOR COMPETENCIES
WORKSHOP FOR THE CARIBBEAN EDUCATIONAL SECTOR ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF BASIC AND LABOR COMPETENCIES
Organized by the Ministry of Education of Trinidad and Tobago and the Unit for Social Development and Education of the Organization of American States.
Date: August 17-20, 2004
Location: CROWNE PLAZA
Wrightson Road
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: (868) 625 3361
Participants:Ministers of Education Trinidad and Tobago, 20 Tec/Voc Curriculum Officials from the Ministry of Education and The Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, Specialists from NTA Trinidad, Jamaica Heart Trust, CXC, OECS/OERU, CARICOM, Board of Industrial Training in Guyana, Representatives from Ministries of Education in the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, and Peru. In addition, representatives from SENAI Brazil, PMETyC (CONOCER and CONALEP) of Mexico and INEA will be participating.
Objectives:
1)Share the lessons learned from past and current Caribbean initiatives in the definition, development and certification of labor competencies, including the inputs and exchange of experiences from Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Peru.
2)Facilitate initial training for the development of methodology for developing standards in the curriculum based on competencies.
Format:
The first section of the workshop will be dedicated to laying out the political and technical framework and will consist of presentations followed by question period. The afternoon will consist of a roundtable session with presentations and dialogue with all participants. The second day of the workshop will contain two roundtables. The first will present models of competency-based education and training from different regions in Latin America. The aim is to promote reflection on the similarities and differences in the models and their unique contexts. The second roundtable will deal with important issues related to curricular reform based on competencies. The afternoon will begin with an introduction to the Project for the Modernization of Technical Education and Training (PMETyC) of Mexico with emphasis on the generation of technical norms for labor competencies (CONOCER) and curricular reform based on competencies (CONALEP). This will be followed by an expert panel dedicated to reflecting on how the Caribbean can critically adapt these methodologies to their own needs and context. Days three and four will have a similar format.
Draft Agenda
Day 1, August 17Registration / 8:30-9:00
Inauguration Ceremony and Speeches / Senator, The Honourable Hazel Manning, Minister of Education of Trinidad and Tobago, will deliver the welcome address. / 9:00.-10:30
PART I. Political and Technical Framework
Towards the IV Summit of the Americas, the IV Meeting of Ministries of Education / Sofialeticia Morales (Director UDSE/OAS) / 10:45-11:00
The CARICOM Single Market Economy and Workforce Development / Myrna Bernard (CARICOM) / 11:00-11:30
The Caribbean Vocational Qualifications Framework and CANTA / Robert Gregory (President CANTA) / 11:30-12:00
Jamaica Heart Trust : 20 years working in the formal and non formal education systems / Paulette Dunn-Smith
Robert Ludlow
Robert Gregory / 12:00-12:30
CXC and Certification in Technical and Vocational areas / Lucy Stewart, (Caribbean Examination Council, CXC) / 12:30-1:00
Lunch / 1:00-2:30
Current status and future challenges of Vocational and Technical Education in Trinidad and Tobago at the Upper Secondary Level / Sharon Mangroo (National Coordinator Hem. Project) and Mr. Fazal Karim, CEO, Ministry of STTE (T&T) / 2:30-3:00
Linking Ministries of Labor and Education / Rodrick Nurse (Board of Industrial Training, Guyana) / 3:00-3:30
The hemispheric project on Secondary Education and Labor Competencies: / William Cordero and Sergio Calvo (Hemispheric Coordinators, Costa Rica)
Miguel Angel Tamayo (Co-Hemispheric Coordinator)
Reginald Peterson, (Sub-regional Hemispheric Project Coordinator, Antigua and Barbuda) / 3:30-4:30
FEMCIDI Multilateral Projects: Mobilizing Resources and Knowledge / Paloma Adams (OAS/ FEMCIDI, Coordinator / Caribbean Region) / 4:30-4:50
Day 2, August 18
Summary of Day 1 and Introduction to day 2 / Marva Ribeiro and Paul Payne / 9:00-9:10
ILO/ CINTERFOR / Fernando Vargas (Introducción y Moderator) / 9:10 –9:40
SENAI / Paulo Rech / 9:40-10:10
Mexico PMETyC and CONOCER / Miguel Angel Tamayo and Fortino Garza / 10:10-10:40
Coffee Break / 10:40-11:00
Costa Rica / Sergio Calvo y William Cordero / 11:00-11:30
PERU / Luis Damián Casas / 11:30-12:00
Mexico INEA / Lic. Luz Ma. Castro Mussot / 12:00-12:30
Lunch / 12:30-1:30
Round Table 1:
Competencies within strategies of Human Resource Development / Moderator: Fernando Vargas(ILO/CINTERFOR)
Fortino Garza (CONOCER, México)
Paulo Rech (SENAI, Brasil),
Rodrick Nurse (BID)
Jamaica Heart Trust
DRH MoE (T&T) / 1:30-2:30
Part II : Training Sessions and Reflections on Transference
Round Table 2:
Aspects of Curricular Reform based on competencies / Moderator: Irene Livas (CONOCER/Mexico)
Gustavo Flores (CONALEP Mexico)
Sergio Calvo (MoE Costa Rica)
Rodrick Nurse (BID)
Paul Payne (OERU)
Sharon Mangroo (T&T) / 2:30 -3:30
Training Session:
Introduction to the methodology for Competency Based Curricular Reform: For Trinidad and Tobago Tech/Voc Curriculum Officers / CONOCER and CONALEP / 3:30-5:00
Round Table 3:
Reflections on the transference of the methodology to the Caribbean context / Moderators: Paulette Dunn-Smith (Jamaica Heart)
Paul Payne (OERU)
Michael Humes (MoE, Bahamas)
Reginald Peterson (Antigua and Barbuda)
Mr. Ronald Phillip, (NTA, Trinidad and Tobago)
Sharon Mangroo (MoE, T&T)
Gustavo Flores (CONALEP Mexico) / 5:00-5:45
Day 3, August 19
Summary of Day 2 and Introduction Day 3 / Marva Ribeiro and Paul Payne / 9:00-9:10
Training Session With Trinidad Tobago Curriculum officers / CONALEP / 9:10 -12:30
Lunch / 12:30 -1:30
Afternoon Visit to Schools or Other Activity / 1:30-5:30
Day 4, August 20
Summary of Day 3 and Introduction Day 4 / Marva Ribeiro and Paul Payne / 9:00-9:10
Training Session With Trinidad and Tobago Curriculum officers / CONALEP / 9:00-1:30
Lunch / 1:30-2:30
Round Table 4:
Reflections on the transference of the methodology to the Caribbean Context / Moderator: Fazal Karim (NTA, T&T)
Paul Payne (OERU)
Reginald Peterson (A&B)
Mr. Ronald Phillip, (NTA, Trinidad and Tobago)
Rodrick Nurse (BID)
Michael Humes (MoE, Bahamas)
Fernando Vargas(ILO/CINTERFOR)
Irene Livas (CONOCER/Mexico)
Gustavo Flores (CONALEP Mexico) / 2:30-4:00
Working Groups: Conclusions and Steps to Follow
Trinidad and Tobago
Caribbean
Latin America
International Organizations / 4:00-4:30
Conclusions and Steps to Follow
Trinidad and Tobago
Caribbean
Latin America
International Organizations / Tech/Voc Officer
Reginald Peterson (A&B)
PMETyC and CONOCER
Jorge Baxter (OAS)
Senator Hazel Manning / 4:30-5:30
Port of Spain, Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – August 17 – 20, 2004
WORKSHOP FOR THE CARIBBEAN EDUCATIONAL SECTOR ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF BASIC AND LABOR COMPETENCIES
INFORMATION BROCHURE
Venue for Workshop:CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
CROWNE PLAZA
Wrightson Road
Port of Spain
Tel: (868) 625 3361
VISA Requirements
Visa Required / No Visa RequiredBolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru / Antigua and Barbuda, *Argentina, Bahamas
Barbados, Belize, **Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica
Guyana, Jamaica, ***Mexico, St. Lucia
* Diplomats and Officials – No Visa
Ordinary Passport Holder – No Visa for 90 days or less on Vacation and Business.
** No Visa on vacation.
*** Diplomats and Officials Accredited – No Visa
Diplomats and Officials not Accredited – No Visa for 90 days
Ordinary Passport Holders – Visa Required.
Please inform us if you require any assistance in obtaining your visa.
Language of the Workshop:
Simultaneous Spanish/English and English/Spanish translations will be available.
Airport Transfers
The organizing committee will arrange for transport to and from the hotel and for special events. Delegates will be received by personnel from the Organizing Committee
Accommodation
The Organizing Committee has blocked single rooms at the CROWNE PLAZA Hotel for all confirmed delegates. Those not using the CROWNE PLAZA should inform before August 9, 2004
The Ministry of Education will bear the cost of five nights accommodation with meals for those delegates who received scholarships from the OAS Scholarships and Training Unit.
Additional delegates must cover their own expenses and arrange their own accommodation.
Please note that internet, phone, room, laundry, snack bar, and other in-room services must be covered by the delegates.
The Ministry of Education has obtained special rates for delegates at the CROWNE PLAZA.
Single Occupancy: US$110.00 (US$133.10 tax inclusive)
Double Occupancy: US$125.00 (US$151.25 tax inclusive)
The above rate includes a Buffet Breakfast in the Olympia Restaurant.
The above rate includes 10% Service Charge and 10% Government tax.
Dress Code
The dress code for social functions will be elegant casual. Conference room is air-conditioned.
Opening ceremony: Business Suit.
National Coordination
Ministry of Education, Trinidad and Tobago
Dr. Marva Ribeiro
Assistant Director, Educational Research and Evaluation
Tel: (868) 683-7936
Fax: (868) 624-2145
Mrs. Marcia Riley
Adviser, Communications Management
Ministry of Education
Tel: (868) 628 1581
Fax: (868) 622 4892; (868) 622 1546
Some Important Facts About Trinidad & Tobago
Country Name: Conventional long form:Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Conventional short form:Trinidad and Tobago
Background: The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is vastly growing.
Geographical Location:Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela.
Area & Area Comparative: total: 5,128 sq km
land: 5,128 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Slightly smaller than Delaware
Climate: Tropical 27 to 320C; rainy season (June to December)
Capital City:Port-of-Spain
Currency: Trinidad and Tobago’s currency is the TTD (Trinidad & Tobago Dollar)
Exchange Rate:Trinidad and Tobago dollars per US dollar - $6.29 (2004)
Electricity:Power Supply: 110V
Historical sites…
TrinidadPort of Spain / This capital city's sites and sounds are best enjoyed on foot. Begin at the Queens Park Savannah, which was an old sugar plantation. Historic sites are: The National Museum, Houses of Parliament, Botanical Gardens, The Magnificent Seven Buildings, and the Emperor Valley Zoo.
Asa Wright Nature Centre / This small resort, buried among mountains deep in the Trinidad rain forest, is famous for its amazing diversity in animal and plant species.
Attraction type: Nature centre
Maracas Bay / This popular beach spot fulfils the fantasy of the ideal Caribbean beach, but is just as famous for the scenic rainforest drive that must be made to reach it.
Attraction type: Beach; Bay
Caroni Bird Sanctuary / Tour the sanctuary by boat and watch for the island's National Bird; the Scarlet Ibis or "Red Birds" that nest in the mango trees. Located south of Port of Spain. Fort George: The majestic views from the fort, built in 1804, include Venezuela's stunning mountain ranges. Located 10 miles from Port of Spain, easily accessed by taxi.
Pitch Lake / The oddest attraction in Trinidad is the Pitch Lake, a 40ha (99ac) continually replenishing lake of tar which is the source of the world's single largest supply of natural bitumen - however, as a sight it's reminiscent of a huge parking lot.
Attraction type: Geological formation; Lake
Lopinot Historical Complex / This 19th Century French Plantation has been restored to its original splendour, and now houses a museum. Located east of Port of Spain.
Tobago
Fort King George / Overlooks Scarborough, Tobago's serene capital city, and is the best spot for sunset viewing.
National Fine Arts Centre / Displays excellent examples of Tobago art & sculpture. The Museum's friendly director may offer an informative word or two. Address: 10 minutes on Orange Hill Rd.
Man O' War Bay/Charlotteville / One of the pleasures in visiting Charlotteville is the scenic drive along the way. Be sure to snap a shot of Pigeon's Peak, the island's highest point. Address: Eastern end of the Island.
Buccoo Reef / Tobago's most delightful (although crowded) snorkelling spot. Located offshore at Buccoo Point and Store Bay, you'll have to take a boat to reach it.
Eating Out: Trinidad & Tobago Style…
Our Trinidad cuisine is as diverse as the different ethnic groups that make up our people. Trinidad’s multicultural society gives you the enjoyment of Indian, Creole, Chinese, Syrian-Lebanese and Italian foods. With such a range of choices and flavours, your taste buds are sure to be delighted.
Our Culture, Our Pride…
Thesteel pan was the only instrument invented in the 20th Century originating fromthe hills of Laventille, in Trinidad.
Carnivalis a kaleidoscope of colour, cultures and artistry. It is a celebration of Trinidad and Tobago's success. People of every age, race and colour join to celebrate the joy of life.
Carnival - come and live it and you'll absolutely love it!
Parangmusic, which characterises the Christmas Season of Trinidad and Tobago, has its roots in Venezuela, but has developed its own characteristics, while absorbing Colombian and even Cuban music in its repertoire. The word Parang represents the written equivalent to the phonic Parran, which in turn is an adulteration of the Spanish word Parranda.
In Trinidad, Parang depicts music, musical instruments, dances, costumes, etc. all related to the season.
Tobago Heritage Festival: Villages on the island featuring their own activity, such as traditional weddings, goat races or games (July).
Phagwa: Festival celebrating the Hindu New Year, usually around full moon in March.
Eid-ul-Fitr: Muslim New Year, occurring around June, is celebrated with day of feasting.
Santa Rosa Festival: Celebrates the cross-cultural relationship between the Amerindians and the Roman Catholic Church. The festival is held in honour of the remaining Caribs on the islands and visitors can enjoy Carib treats and some of their crafts are displayed.
Divali: Also called festivals of lights, it's a national Hindu holiday to honour Lakshmi, goddess of light, beauty, riches and love.
Emancipation Day: Celebrates the abolition of slavery with a public holiday annually on August 1st. The emancipation of African slaves took place in 1834.
Port of Spain, Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – August 17 – 20, 2004