Minister of Education Dr Michael Dowlath has announced the implementation of the PEARL Programme, an early intervention tool developed to diagnose visual and hearing impairments in children from as early as four years old.
The move forms part of a broader academic initiative aimed at creating equitable learning opportunities for persons with disabilities.
At Thursday’s opening of the Caribbean Deaf Education Conference at UWI St Augustine, the Minister announced the implementation of the PEARL Programme, beginning in September 2026.
Originally designed to enhance the quality of education for persons within the OECS region, the initiative will deliver early diagnosis of hearing and visual impairments in children as young as four years old.
Alongside this initiative, the Minister noted that ‘Learning Without Limits’, the national roll-out of laptops for Form 1 students, will now feature an AI-supported learning interface tailored for students with disabilities.
“For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, the Ministry is exploring AI tools that can support sign language communication, provide visual or text-based assistance, improve safe navigation, and use features such as mobile phone vibrations to alert students to alarms, approaching vehicles or other potentially dangerous sounds.”
Minister Dowlath added that emphasis will be placed on sign language training and ongoing professional development.
“So at the Ministry of Education, we are prepared to transform the systems by earlier identification and intervention, by including support of families and greater access to Trinidad and Tobago Sign Language. Also, we are looking at programmes for the continued professional development of our teachers, our educators, and our support staff.”
Under the theme “Pathways to Inclusive Education and Human Rights for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing”, the three-day conference brings together educators, researchers, and policymakers to drive equitable, inclusive, and rights-based education for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners across the Caribbean.