The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has thanked the Ministry of Education for including non-national children into schools this academic term.
Head of the National Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Amanda Solano Badilla, said it has been a successful first term for these non-national children, which ensures their education continues.
“Congratulations to the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the inclusion of non-national children into schools. Today, 60 non-national children have been integrated into 22 schools in Trinidad and Tobago. Amazing. I also want to acknowledge the efforts done by the Government to amend the Immigration Act so that children registered under the 2019 MRF could be included into schools. We understand that this is an ongoing process and I want to assure you that UNHCR is here to support in every step of the way.”
Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly commended the UNHCR for continuing its advocacy, which ensured that these non-national children had a place in schools.
“Couple years ago, when we had UNHCR, we were under real pressure because their consistent advocacy for the children is what would have led to us being able to do that today, and we are very happy to be in this position on this side of the situation today.”
The Minister said it continues to be an ongoing process, and thanked all stakeholders for their efforts in making it a reality.
“We understood the arguments that we could not have children here who just were not getting the benefit of education. But there were wider factors to be considered. So we are really happy to have come to this point and I want to sincerely join with UNHCR in thanking all who were involved. It was not a simple process. It was not just a matter of taking the children. There’s legislation, there’s work to be done in training teachers, and I want to especially recognise the Catholic Education Board, Living Waters, for their efforts as well. It’s good to be on this side.”
In June 2024, the Ministry of Education outlined the process for Venezuelan children whose families registered under the Migrant Registration Framework in 2019 to apply to be enrolled ahead of the new academic year in September 2024.