This can be related to Caribbean Civilisation in respect to the voyage of Christopher Comlumbus when he discovered the Caribbean in 1492. Using Actitivty 2.2, the area was not one of darkness before the arrival of Columbus as, though, he was not the first to discover or settle here as the Neo Indians were originally there; it is the only recorded history present and hence believed by everyone as it is on many education curriculums in today’s society. This was because Caribbean people left no writing of their Caribbean experience or history therefore, it was the Europeans who wrote about the Caribbean as they destroyed all other evidence. It is because of this, that the story of Caribbean Civilisation, according to Dr. John Campbell in his lecture, that it has been told in different ways as recorded history is perspective driven. Therefore, when this changed through Revisionism, the story or interpretation also changed. Hence, there is also no single story as they create stereotypes that are incomplete and make one story become the only story.

 

 

UWI is therefore encouraging this idea by having online classes for most of the courses offered in all campuses such as Caribbean Civilisation that uses the Blackboard Collaborate, which allowed for a larger and more convenient platform for learning; where students are allowed to share their point of views on the various topics being discussed, communicate with their fellow Caribbean classmates and lecturers. This course also promoted Caribbean identity by discussing the different practices done on the islands as well as the types of music enjoyed, as at the beginning and end of each Monday night lectures, a song or music video from different artists from across the Caribbean, was played to promote awareness of one’s culture to others. Hence, the main idea emphasized during this entire course was “One Course, one University and One Caribbean.”

However, due to the different governance or funds required by the different campuses; not everyone can now afford to attend university which resulted in a decrease in the number of students taking courses offered, which then lead to a decreased level in unity or oneness that is being encouraged by the One UWI initiative; as the larger the communicating platform, the greater the Caribbean identity. This was seen in the St Augustine campus in Trinidad as they recently had to lower the entry requirements in the Faculty of Social Sciences as there was a small number of applicants for their evening programmes and this was because of the Government recently taking a decision to limit the GATE funding and apply a means test for students who required financial assistance where you were given aid according to your salary amount which deemed unfair to many. Therefore, placing the One UWI initiative on a stand still.

However, in today’s society, both boys and girls are given equal opportunities but girls are succeeding more as they are more interested in making change to the past norm and not remaining or becoming housewives for the rest of their lives.  Having attended one of the best girl’s school in Trinidad, which is Naparima Girls’ High School; I can safely say this is true as each student took their education very seriously and was further reflected by the numerous government scholarships being obtained each year and high awards such as the President’s Medal. Being surrounded by the top boys schools in the area, such as Naparima Boys’ College and Presentation College San Fernando; the competition is intense yet the girls always excel more most of the time.

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-10-15/%E2%80%98glory-my-school%E2%80%99

Girls are also becoming leaders or holding high positions in the workforces and doing jobs that people once thought only boys can do. As I reside in the Penal, Siparia region of Trinidad; this example was set by Mrs. Kamla Persad- Bissessar as she became the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; coming from a poor family and having attended Iere High School; she took her education very seriously and achieved success. As Dr. John Campbell emphasized in a lecture that education was never neutral; it was used in the service of the colonial authority and was used as a measure of control in society.