“A Dream Deferred?” — Child Rights in Education in Trinidad and Tobago
What does it truly mean when a nation promises education for every child? In Child Rights in Education, Denelle Singh explores Trinidad and Tobago’s 33-year-old commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and raises a critical question: has the country fulfilled its obligations, or is it quietly failing the most vulnerable?
This thought-provoking paper highlights:
- The stark difference between written policy and actual practice, particularly for children with disabilities
- The legal and bureaucratic barriers that prevent refugee children and those in state care from accessing school
- The lack of proper training for teachers to support inclusive education in real classrooms
- How gaps in infrastructure and funding turn the promise of “free education” into an unreachable ideal for many
- The courts’ growing role in pushing the state to act, often only after legal challenges
This is more than a legal review. It is an urgent and grounded appeal to uphold children’s rights and ensure no child is left behind simply because of disability, social status, or immigration background.
If you care about education, equality, or justice, this is a compelling read that demands your attention.
