TTUTA POLICY ON EDUCATION - ITS PHILOSOPHY

Our Policy on Education, formally adopted in February 1992, represents the culmination of a long process of many years of thought and activity at various levels of the Association.

The Association accepts a philosophy of education that includes the individual, the nation and the teachers. The philosophy is based on the view that education is a lifelong process, encompassing formal, non-formal and informal systems. It is couched within the democratic principles of equality, freedom, respect for human dignity, justice and cooperation.

TTUTA recognises the student as a unique and educable individual, whose talents must be developed to the fullest. Every citizen must have equal opportunity for a high quality of education, which will lead to personal benefits or happiness, prosperity, fulfillment and good health. The quality of this education should provide adequately for exceptional students.

The system the Association supports will develop the values for independence, positive work ethics, persistence and moral behaviour. It will develop capability for critical judgement, lifelong learning, self-discipline, and a sense of self-worth. It will nurture an appreciation for the aesthetic, and a commitment towards the preservation of the environment.

Quite apart from personal satisfaction, education must facilitate national development, focused on improving the quality of life for all of our present and future generations. It must foster the qualities of leadership and discipline and prepare everyone for life in a modern and democratic society, in which there is mutual respect between men and women and a pervading sense of social justice.

TTUTA supports an education system that will develop a strong sense of national identity, without compromising regional ties and global fraternity. It must lead us to appreciate and to sustain our cultural diversity, within a framework of national unity and loyalty to the nation state. Our education system should be one that will develop the social skills required for harmonious living in a multi-cultural society, one that will prepare persons for parenthood and for the exigencies of community life. Everyone must develop a capability and willingness for participation in economic and political activities.

TTUTA recognises the teacher as a professional, providing a critical service in the delivery of education. No one branch of education is superior and no professional teacher is above the other. Our teachers are committed to the provision of the highest quality of education, and the Association will actively promote continuous professional development.

The comprehensive Policy on Education articulates, in sections:

    The Goals of Education;

    The Curriculum;

    Early Childhood Education;

    Primary Education;

    Secondary Education;

    Technical, Vocational Education;

    Special Education;

    Post Secondary Education;

    The Community School;

    Teacher Education;

    Management of the Education System