High School Never Ends

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Education is considered a major factor which influences the culture and society and should be described as a trigger of urban change. Citizens of Caribbean believe education to be a very important asset which allows one to acquire jobs and secure an income. The quality of education of an area along with its access to affordable housing and cultural amenities along with other factors all affect its livability. Therefore, it can be noticed that the many educational institutions located in Chaguanas aid in promoting its urban livability. 

Within the urban center of Chaguanas there are many schools of varying educational levels ranging from kindergarten to tertiary level institutions. There are government schools, denominational schools, such as religious schools and and privately owned schools, such as Upper Level Educational Institute and even, some driving schools. Some government schools include Chaguanas Government Primary School, Chaguanas North Secondary School and the Youth Training Employee Partnership Programme (YTEPP). Whereas, some denominational schools include Chandernagore Presbyterian Primary School, Presentation College Chaguanas, Saraswati Girls' Hindu College, Anjuman Sunnat ul Jamaat Association (ASJA) Girls' College and Ramlogan Driving School. 

Some schools in Chaguanas provide a high standard of education. Chaguanas Government Primary School is an institution which produces admirable students, both in academics as well as extra curricular activities. When these students graduate they move on to prestigious secondary schools throughout the country, which are usually listed as their first choice schools when they write the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA). One of these schools, Presentation College Chaguanas (Photograph 1), is located just around the corner. This school produces students with a high quality of education, which is proven by the amount of times they have won the President's Medal. 

Photograph 1, taken by Kristen Goseine, with Canon EOS REBEL T3i/EOS 600D. (Date taken: 30/03/15)

Another popular educational facility available is the Chaguanas Public Library (National Library and Information Systems [NALIS]). The existing library is located in Centre Point Mall whereas, the new library is being built on the northwestern end of Ramsaran Street (Photograph 2). It can also be noticed that the construction of the library is expected to be completed soon due to the impending elections. However, the new library may be converted to the Chaguanas Judicial Complex due to a build up of court cases at the Chaguanas Magistrate Court. Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie stated that, "Justice also has to be attended to just as education and learning has to be attended to." 

Photograph 2, taken by Kristen Goseine, with Canon EOS REBEL T3i/EOS 600D. (Date taken: 30/03/15)

Fun Fact: The schools in Chaguanas, unfortunately, are nowhere as exciting as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. :(

References

Asson, Cecily. 2014. '‘Save Chag Library’'. Trinidad And Tobago Newsday. http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,197943.html.

Google Maps,. 2015. 'Schools Near Chaguanas'. Accessed April 8. https://www.google.tt/maps/search/schools+in+chaguanas/@10.532565,-61.411893,13z/data=!3m1!4b1.

Google Maps,. 2015. 'A.S.J.A Girls' College'. Accessed April 8. https://www.google.tt/maps/place/A.S.J.A+Girls'+College/@10.547599,-61.417369,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xc4c98d9d69e34eab.

Harry Potter Wiki,. 2015. 'Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry'. Accessed April 8. http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Hogwarts_School_of_Witchcraft_and_Wizardry.

Underwood, Nick. 2015. 'Defining Livability - Partners For Livable Communities'. Livable.Org. Accessed April 8. http://www.livable.org/livability-live/731-defining-livability.

van Vliet, Willem. 2002. 'Cities In A Globalizing World: From Engines Of Growth To Agents Of Change'. Environ Urban 14 (1): 31-40. doi:10.1630/095624702101286089.

Wayow, Sue-Ann. 2014. 'Presentation College Cops President’S Medal'. Trinidad Express Newspapers. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Presentation--College-cops-Presidents-Medal-278743801.html.

Ytepp.gov.tt,. 2015. 'History  |  YTEPP Ltd.'. Accessed April 8. http://www.ytepp.gov.tt/history/.