
Aims and Strategic Objectives
The Aim of the TENS Programme is to improve the education system in all government-owned primary and secondary schools across the State.
The specific strategic Objectives of the TENS Programme are as follows:
- To use proven methodologies (examples include PESTLE, SWOT, Gap Analysis, Interviews and Focus Groups with key stakeholders) to conduct an in-depth analysis in order to identify the problems in the education system at the primary and secondary levels within the State;
- To conduct a Baseline Educational Statistics (BES) and Infrastructure Survey by July 2016 to establish the current state of educational provision at the primary and secondary levels in the State;
- To improve the education system such pupils are empowered by the enhanced standards of teaching and a more refined learning process that address the needs of the State, based on the findings from the survey, research and interviews with key stakeholders;
- To provide a challenging and stimulating pupil experience within the school environment;
- To review and recommend changes to the curriculum that will address current challenges in youth unemployment, such as, enterprise and entrepreneurial education, skill acquisition and specialisation more specifically in the fields of engineering, science, technology and agriculture;
- To ensure that all pupils in the State have access to quality educational provisions to allow them to reach their potential irrespective of gender, ethnic group, background, previous educational attainment and physical disability;
- To provide a healthy, safe and supportive classroom and school environment;
- To retain and recruit additional qualified teachers by 2018, especially specialist teachers, to teach in the sciences, technical subjects, Maths and English;
- To ensure continuing teacher certification and capacity building through the attendance of a compulsory 5-day teacher training programme commencing 2017;
- To strengthen the provision of quality education through the provision and refurbishment of adequate infrastructure, facilities and the provision of learning equipment such as functioning libraries and science laboratories;
- To ensure and implement adequate financial planning and budgetary management;
- To ensure adequate funding for education planning and delivery of the school curriculum;
- To make funds available that will guarantee the payment of teacher salaries and associated remuneration benefits, training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD), the provision of teaching aids and materials such as text books, workbooks, laboratory equipment and schools feeding programmes;
- To build the capacity of education providers;
- To create opportunities for the local community to get involved in contracts such as building, renovations and growing food for the school feeding programme.