Canada and Trinidad and Tobago Foster greater ties through education

November 28, 2009

Prime Minister Stephen Harper recognizes contribution of Maple Leaf International School in encouraging engagement between two countries

PETIT VALLEY, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today lauded the important role Canadian-curriculum schools play in fostering greater cooperation between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.  While in Port of Spain for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM), the Prime Minister visited Maple Leaf International School, the largest private, not-for-profit school in Trinidad and Tobago, which offers the curriculum of the Province of Ontario from kindergarten to grade 12.

“Canadian-curriculum schools play an important role in creating education links between our two countries,” said the Prime Minister.  “They help to develop understanding and encourage cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and Canada on academic, cultural and economic levels.”

Maple Leaf International School is one of 65 schools located in 16 countries around the world that follow a Canadian curriculum.  These include one other in Trinidad and Tobago and several in the Caribbean region.

“For many, education at a Canadian-curriculum school overseas is the start of a lifelong connection with Canada,” said the Prime Minister.  “Many of the graduates of these schools go on to study at Canadian universities and colleges, thereby enriching our society with their skills, culture and traditions.”

Canadian schools around the world offer advantages to local students, providing them with additional choice in high-quality education, Canadian teachers and administrative staff as well as Canadian learning materials.  They are also a great way to help students better understand Canada.  Students of these schools are in an enriching cross-cultural environment that encourages global citizenship and engagement. 



Backgrounder

MAPLE LEAF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Maple Leaf International School (MLIS) offers instruction from kindergarten to grade 12 in Petit Valley, Trinidad and Tobago.  The school follows the curriculum of the Province of Ontario, which means that graduates receive the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

The school is inspected annually by Ontario’s Ministry of Education.  The principal, Janet Pomeroy, is Canadian, as are most of the teachers.  In addition, 80 per cent of the secondary school staff must be qualified to teach in Ontario.

With 530 students and 70 staff members, MLIS is the largest private, not-for-profit school in the country.  Of its students, 85 per cent are local citizens, with 10 to 15 per cent holding dual Trinidad and Tobago-Canadian citizenship.  About 60 to 70 per cent of its graduates attend Canadian universities and colleges, while most of the others go mainly to the United States and the United Kingdom.

MLIS is owned by the parents of its students and receives all of its funding from tuition fees.  The school is governed by a board of directors drawn from parents.


About Canadian-curriculum schools overseas

There are currently 65 schools in 16 countries accredited to offer the curriculum of a Canadian province.  There is one other Canadian-curriculum school in Trinidad and Tobago (Trillium International School) and several others in the Caribbean region.

These schools offer excellent education, Canadian teachers and administrative staff, and Canadian learning materials.  Graduates receive the diploma of the province of accreditation.  Depending on their accreditation, schools may offer instruction in all or part of the range from kindergarten to grade 12.

As education is a provincial jurisdiction in Canada, each province is responsible for establishing and enforcing its own educational curriculum and standards; this also applies to schools accredited to offer the provincial curriculum overseas.  Accreditation processes, requirements and inspections vary by province.

Canadian-curriculum schools overseas offer numerous benefits, including:

• contributing to the creation of global citizens with an international perspective
• creating familiarity with Canadian education and culture
• creating a Canadian presence in foreign countries and helping to build links and an understanding of Canada
• providing students, of whom many will go on to study at Canadian universities and colleges, with a high-quality education and an internationally-recognized diploma

Canadian-accredited schools overseas provide an unparalleled opportunity to brand Canada as a quality education destination and to increase awareness about Canada’s education offerings in key markets.

For a list of all the Canadian-accredited schools overseas, consult Canadian-curriculum schools abroad at http://www.international.gc.ca/education/abroad-etranger.aspx.