ACADEMIC SYSTEM TERTIARY EDUCATION
GRADUATE SCHOOLS
Public Regional 3-Year University Public & Private 3 & 4-Year Universities
CAPE EXAMS
2-Year A-Level Secondary School (15 – 17+) 7-Year Secondary School (11 – 17+) Community Colleges & Colleges Private Higher Education Institutions
SECONDARY EDUCATION
CSEC EXAMS
5-Year Secondary School (11 – 15+)
T&T’S HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR Trinidad and Tobago’s higher education system is diverse, comprising not only many small providers and institutions that offer basic proficiency programmes, but also providers that offer short and professional courses. These post-secondary programmes may be taught through private institutions, post-primary schools, Ministry training programmes or TVET centres, and trade schools. The tertiary component of the sector consists of two public regional universities, public and private universities, community colleges and private higher education institutions. ACTT currently has registered two (2) local awarding bodies, registered 47 institutions and accredited 13 institutions. The programmes at these institutions range from locally developed degree options such as those offered by The University of the West Indies (The UWI), College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), to programmes which are franchised from transnational institutions such as those offered by the Association of Business Executives (ABE), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), University of London and Pearson Education Ltd. These institutions’ offerings cover the full suite of qualifications from undergraduate certificates to doctoral degrees.
TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL SYSTEM TERTIARY EDUCATION
SECONDARY EDUCATION
CAPE EXAMS
Private Technical Institutes TVET Centres & Trade Schools
CSEC EXAMS
TVET Centres & Trade Schools Ministry of Community Development Training Programmes Community Colleges & Colleges Post-Primary Schools
Recent developments in the sector are changing the way business may have to be conducted. One change is the restriction in government funding for students to pursue qualifications at approximately 80% of the tertiary level institutions. This, however, only affects an approximate 30% to 35% of the student population eligible for funding. While this may initially result in a contraction in the student enrolment in the sector, some argue that it may also result in the reduction of programme duplication, leading to a more streamlined and purposeful investment in the sector. There are also external factors which impact the sector. One such external factor that is going to influence the sector soon is the recently agreed to CARICOM Qualifications Framework (CQF). This framework will be the foundation for the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which will explain in detail the characteristics of vocational, academic and professional qualifications and will guide their development, classification and recognition. When launched, it will establish the minimum requirements to attain qualifications at the various levels of the education and training system in Trinidad and Tobago. ACTT is at an advanced stage in the development of the NQF in conjunction with the NTA and when completed, it will be an important instrument utilised in regulating the post-secondary and tertiary education sector.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
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