In spite of the challenges children face and the many acts of violence in which they are participants, Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly has said all is not lost.

She said her ministry is seeking to create the ideal disciplined, productive and tolerant citizen to drive forward the development trajectory of the country.

At the Agricultural Initiative Competition for Primary Schools, themed I Learn, I Grow, I Eat, at Nutrien Trinidad Model Farm, Couva, on Monday, Gadsby-Dolly said part of the strategy relates to incorporating agriculture into education.

Nutrien was the sole sponsor of this project which saw 55 primary schools competing and winning trophies and certificates. Nutrien’s MD Erik Vettergren presented Gadsby-Dolly with a $50,000 cheque.

The Perseverance Project was awarded to the Lady Hochoy Centres of TT and Lady Hochoy School Penal for overcoming challenges.

The prize won by Aripo RC Primary for Best Kitchen Garden was dedicated to the late Micheal Baptiste, the teacher who co-ordinated the school’s efforts.

Vettergren said the company was happy to partner with the MOE as:, “Today’s youths are tomorrow’s decision-makers and agriculture advocates. They play a crucial role in a healthy future for our industry and our planet.

“I feel confident that the participants of this contest and their hard would will contribute to feeding the future.”

Director of curriculum planning and development division at the ministry Anna Singh said the competition, which started in March, demonstrated the ways the school garden could be used as a basis for cross-curricular integration of other subject areas.

[caption id="attachment_1043721" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Piparo presbyterian primary school first Infants at the IEAT school garden competition held at Nutrien Trinidad limited at Perseverance, pose for a photo with Josanne Basanoo co-ordinator model farm operation, Lieselle Harripersad, snr manager productions at Nutrien Erik Vettergrenm MD of Nutrien Trinidad, Minister of Education Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, director curriculum planning and development Anna Singh and curriculum officer Vishal Ramjattan. - Yvonne Webb[/caption]

“We saw many schools integrate numeracy concepts, literacy concepts and even visual and performing arts all under the umbrella of garden-based learning.

“Not only did the competition augur well for the requirements of the national primary school curriculum, but it also provided a strong foundation for the new cultural transformation policy our ministry is currently implementing in all schools.”

Gadsby-Dolly praised the dedication of principals and staff who prepared the children for the competition and created diverse kitchen gardens in their schools, that encompassed all subject areas, including agricultural science.

She underscored that there is more to education than certification while espousing the ideals of developing the model citizen and ensuring they understand their role in this development.

On becoming an independent nation, she said the pledge was m

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