PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: (Mon, April 16) The Ministry of Education is lending support to the staging of this year's edition of the TTSSTFA Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships set for Thursday, April, 19 and Friday, April 20, later this week. The Ministry of Education, through the Curriculum Department, has  been a key stakeholder in the past editions of the Championships. However, this year the Department's role was crucial in the two-day meet featuring over 1000 students from close to 90 public and private secondary schools from the eight educational districts across the country. President of the Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Track and Field Association Dr. Philip Allard credits the intervention of the Curriculum Department. "We must thank the Curriculum Department of the Ministry of Education, the director John Roopchan, John Thatcher and Shelly Slater who have been instrumental in making proper statements to the Permanent Secretary that this meet must not be cancelled."  The Championships were originally scheduled from February but due to financial constraints were pushed back until April. Curriculum Officer, Physical Education and Sport with responsibility for Track and Field, Ministry of Education says the Championships will showcase the country's sporting talents. "We, at the Ministry of Education, are also committed to providing opportunities to allow the talent  of the nation's youth to find a platform and expression and we know that these championships will be an avenue to do so." Miss Slater adds that support for the Championships is part of the Ministry's drive to nation building. " The Ministry of Education continues to support and provide opportunities to achieve success. Its main thrust is to develop the skills, values and attitudes of our young people to become productive citizens."

The Championships is the breeding ground for the future Olympians of this country. Recently-crowned Commonwealth Games champions Michelle-Lee Ahye (women's 100m) and Jereem Richards (men's 200m) competed at the championships. Ahye for Tranquility Government Secondary and Richards for ASJA Boys College. Olympic javelin gold medallist Keshorn Walcott represented Toco Secondary while former World Junior and Senior 400m hurdles champion Jehue Gordon ran for Belmont Boys Secondary and Queen's Royal College. Reigning World Championships 4x400m champions Richards (ASJA Boys College), Machel Cedenio (Presentation College-San Fernando) and Renny Quow (Scarborough Secondary) also launched their athletic careers at this meet. 

From Anna-Lee Walcott, Alicia Tyson, Fana Ashby, Scot Noreiga in the 1990's to Darryl Brown, Marc Burns, Alicia Cave and Kern Harrypersad in the early 2000's along with Garvin Nero, Keston Bledman Janeil Bellille and Semoy Hackett in the late 2000's all graced the the championships. Nearly all have won numerous medals at the various regional and International championships. 

This year's Championships are sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Blue Waters and Sunshine Championships.

Action on the first day of competition begins at 10 o'clock in the morning and at 11 o'clock on day two. 

Ministry of Education supports Secondary Schools Athletic Champs

by Athletics T&T, athleticstnt@gmail.com​​; April 17, 2018

TTSSTFA & MOE
President of the TTSSTFA Dr. Philip Allard (right) shakes hands with Shelly Slater (lleft), Curriculum Officer of Physical Education and Sport with responsibility for Track and Field-Ministry of Education at the launch of the 2018 TTSSTFA Secondary Schools Championships set for the Hasely Crawford, Mucurapo on April 19 & 20. The launch was held on Wednesay, April 11

Secondary Schools' Track & Field