One student has highlighted what she calls “a glaring gap” in Trinidad and Tobago’s school curriculum – pointing to the limited teaching of African history compared to detailed lessons on Europe.
Dominique Quashie shared her concerns during the Pan African Festival TT’s Kwame Ture Memorial Lecture Series, held under the theme “The Miseducation of the African Child.”
The recent Upper Six graduate, who is set to start her tertiary education, said not enough is taught about African heritage at the primary and secondary levels, leaving students without critical knowledge of their own identity.
“I’d like to begin with a quote which states, ‘A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots,’ said by Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey, which I retrieved from my African History Quiz booklet of 2022.”
Dominique, who is also a past participant of the Emancipation Support Committee’s National African History Quiz, described how the quiz revealed just how much was missing from her formal education.
“Participating in the National African History Quiz in 2022 was definitely an eye-opener for me, as it exposed not only the day-to-day challenges which are faced by persons of African descent, but it is also exposing the amount of African history that has been a taboo, especially in the school’s curriculum.”
She said many significant figures and events were never taught, adding that Eurocentric narratives dominate lessons, while African stories are overlooked.
“For instance, the name Christopher Columbus stains the minds of every schoolchild throughout Trinidad and Tobago, along with his three ships and the year 1498. I use the word ‘stain’ because this is the first bit of history we learn in great detail. At a very young age, it starts in primary school. On the other hand, if we mention other important names such as Toussaint L’Ouverture or Jean-Jacques Dessalines, it may not even ring a bell.”
Dominique also questioned the impact of these gaps on self-worth, describing social biases that stigmatise African identity and appearance.
She recommended cultural clubs and more Afrocentric material to help close the gap and inspire pride among African students.
“Lastly, the final solution is one which is offered by the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago. They continuously have the African History Quiz, as every year, new bits of African history are provided within the booklet for all participants. These participants now have the opportunity to engage in educational conversation with their peers, where there will be a transfer of new information between the youths.”
Dominique said there is a need to reclaim the narrative.
The Emancipation Support Committee said the discussion was part of a wider push to decolonise education and empower the next generation.