MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

BECOMING A TEACHER

As Trinidad and Tobago strives to meet the challenges of the 21st century, the need for teachers who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also dedication to the profession and integrity will become increasingly pre-eminent.

Teachers of today and the future must be persons who are fully aware of the societal and technological advances of our ever-changing environment. It is imperative to our education system that teachers be persons who can manage change and treat competently with issues of diversity.

"Today's young people are more in need of mature and emotionally important adults, working together in a good relationship climate, who can help them learn to manage the increased stimulation and confusing behaviour choices they have, than were their counterparts a generation or two ago."
School Power, James P. Comer, Free Press.

Are you the adult described above?
If you are,
please continue to read this brochure.

This Quick Facts brochure provides some basic information on the procedure to be followed by persons wishing to enter the teaching profession.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

To register as a teacher, submit a completed application form to the Ministry of Education's Records Office, Alexandra Street, St. Clair, together with the following original documentation:

SOME AREAS WITHIN THE TEACHING PROFESSION

  1. Pre-School Education
  2. Primary Level
  3. Secondary Level
  4. Technical Vocational Education
  5. Special Education

APPLYING TO BECOME A PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER

To become primary school teachers, applicants must submit an application for Employment Form (completed in duplicate) to the PERSONNEL PRIMARY SECTION. In addition, the following documentation must be supplied:
  1. Birth Certificate (with affidavit if necessary).
  2. Certificate in respect of academic/professional qualifications.
  3. Marriage certificate (if a married woman).
  4. Two (2) recent testimonials (which MUST NOT be from Government employed teachers.
  5. Evidence of citizenship (if not born in Trinidad and Tobago).
  6. Particulars of registration as a teacher:- registration number and date registered should also be supplied.
The minimum subject requirements for entry into the teaching service at the primary school level are:-

Five (5) O'levels at CXC or GCE. Mathematics, English and one science subject are compulsory. CXC General Proficiency, Grades I and II, are regarded as equivalent to GCE O'level passes at levels A,B,orC.

APPLYING TO BECOME A SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER

The following procedure applies to persons desirous of teaching at a secondary school, technical institute or training college:-
  1. Application for Employment Form S.C. - 124, in duplicate.
  2. (a) Birth Certificate with supporting affidavit, if necessary.

    3.  

     
     
     

    (b) Academic qualifications:-

    1. Certificate/Diploma(s) (N.B. In cases where statements from the Examination Section, Ministry of Education, are to be used in lieu of certificate/diploma, two (2) original statements are required.)
    2. Two (2) copies of the official transcript of your degree(s) which must be sent directly to Alexandra Street, St. Clair, by the university /institute.

      3.  

       
       
       

      or

    3. Two (2) copies of an official transcript of the Craftsman/ Technician Diploma, which must be sent by the National Examinations Council of Trinidad and Tobago to the above address.
    (c) Documentary evidence of at least two (2) years' industrial experience, after having obtained the Craftsman/Technician Diploma referred to at [2](b)(iii) above.

    (d) Two (2) testimonials, not from a member of the Teaching Service and not older than six (6) months from the date of receipt of the application.

    (e) Recent teacher's registration certificate and two (2) recent passport-size photographs.

    Applicants should note that the original and two (2) copies of each of the above-mentioned documents are to be submitted with their application.

  3. You are also required to furnish some form of identification, e.g. identification card or passport.
Applications should be submitted by hand to the Primary or Secondary Section, Ministry of Education, 18 Alexandra Street, St. Clair, so that original documents can be returned.
Information courtesy
Ministry of Education booklet
Quick Facts on Becoming a Teacher
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