Societal Issues Regarding Education, Religion and Child Marriage by Monisha Kissoon

INTRODUCTION

monisha9709 — 2017-04-05 03:31:13 UTC

This portfolio will be a reflection on the “Societal Issues Regarding Education, Religion and Child Marriage”. My views and opinions will be reflected on the aspects presented. The course Caribbean Civilization was a new area of interest to me and I have come to acknowledge my society and the history behind it as well as, the Caribbean. Each aspect of the portfolio will be related to a learning objective presented in the course.

I would firstly examine the establishment of educational schools in Trinidad. Then I would critically assess an issue of importance therefore, religion and how it has impacted the educational sector. A problem of regional importance as reflected in the news and current affairs will be addressed which, would seek to examine the inequality of the Maha Saba with regards to the education system. Fourthly, I would address the effects of child marriage of girls in particular. Lastly, a self- evaluation of the course will be compiled as my final conclusion of my portfolio.

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOLS IN TRINIDAD

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The development of education in Trinidad began with the ending of enslavement in 1834. Prior to 1834, the British government assigned the responsibility to the churches at the time the right to educate the freed people. The British Government having now vested interest in education took the precaution to appoint C. J. Latrobe as an Inspector of schools for the West Indian colonies in 1837.The Roman Catholic and Anglican churches established a few schools for the propagation of education as well as their religion. The Roman Catholic established one of the first Secondary Schools in Trinidad as early as 1830 as shown in Figure 1.1 St. Joseph Convent, Port of Spain was the given name and was established for young ladies “of class”. Later on, the Roman Catholic authorities conducted a secondary school for boys called St. George’s College.

As time progressed onwards, one major problem that arose was the issue of religion. At the time of this complexity was the arrival of the East Indian indentured labourers from the year 1845 onwards. An issue that came about with the arrival of the East Indians was that they were non-Christians and therefore spoke no English. This therefore posed a dilemma, and Dr. John Morton under the Presbyterian Church of Canada, appeared to minister to the East Indians, and therefore established the first school for them at Iere Village in 1868 as shown in Figure 1.2.

Other religion bodies such as the Presbyterians, Islam and Hinduism therefore conformed to the education system and established schools to propagate their religion. The Education Ordinance of 1870 recognized that there were two types of schools namely the State or Government schools supported wholly by public funds and the Assisted Denominational Schools receiving financial aid from the Government. Education in Trinidad can be considered as one of the great economic strengths, which stand out among emerging markets. The development of education has brought together religion into its system, showing a diversity of schools that a person can attend.

IMPACT OF INDIAN RELIGION PHILOSOPHY IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

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Hinduism can be seen as one of the largest religion in Trinidad and its religion therefore conformed to the education system. Other religions also, conformed to the education system and established schools to propagate their religion. The Sanatan Dharma Maha Saba today, usually administers schools that conform to Hinduism and uses its religion to promulgate is faith to provide indians with greater opportunities for social advancement.

Students attending schools that are of the Hindu faith at both primary and secondary level have shown to be capable of excelling and proved that the Hindu faith showed significance to the education sector, allowing such schools to be highly ranked. Figure 1.3 illustrates an article in the Newsday that proves that Hindu schools have raised high standards of education for their religion. Lakshmi Girls Hindu College is an example of such profound high level of performance, as they are now ranked the third in performance in A levels among all seven year schools and outperformed top level schools in 2008 capturing 15 scholarships and continued that trend onwards.

The teachings of Hinduism in the education system has impacted students to develop spiritually, morally and intellectually. Statistics has shown that 25 percent of hindu schools out-performed other religious and government schools in the Secondary Entrance Assessment exams in 2009 (Mahabir 2009). Religious leaders continually claim that it is the religious character of the denominational schools which account for them producing most of the top 100 SEA students and taking the lion's share of CSEC scholarships. Religion continues to be a major impact on the education system, allowing the teachings of its faith to impact students positively and for the establishment of cultural norms.

SELF REFLECTION

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As a business student, courses pertaining to history, sciences and learning about one’s past was below average. Being introduced to Caribbean Civilization as a foundation course, the expectations of the course were different to what I had imagined, as compared to now as the course has been completed. As a student who had little knowledge about history, the course has allowed myself to appreciate our Caribbean history and how it has instilled in us several norms and values that we now abide to.

Several platforms were used to help and expand our knowledge, which included both online plenaries and tutorials. In relation to the plenaries, the use of online lectures through the “Blackboard Collaborate” was challenging for a couple of students, as we battled with classes that clashed and therefore, hindered us from attending the live lecture. However, we still made ourselves available to attend a few lectures, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We were also given the opportunity to attend a weekly tutorial where the tutors were very knowledgeable and informative and therefore broadened our horizon.

Needless to say, the course has been a great experience and has taught us about many aspects such as what is Caribbean Civilization, the Caribbean Identity, Indian Indentureship, Religion, Education, Culture and Gender and Sexuality in the Caribbean. The feedback and experiences of this course has been commendable and has definitely allowed many of us to learn about our past as Caribbean people.

EFFECTS OF CHILD MARRIAGE

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This course has allowed me to understand that family life is a critical aspect in the development of a society. However, while Trinidad and Tobago is considered to be a multi-cultural society, the issue of Child Marriage is therefore, seen as a national and world-wide problem today. Trinidad and Tobago is one of eight countries in the world that allow for a child to be married at ages 12 (girl) and 16 (boy) under religious rights even though the legal consent age is 18. With four marriage acts that allow for child marriages to take place, many people have plead for the amendment of such acts.

Child marriage is a violation of human rights and negatively impacts them. This is therefore a barrier to girls in particular as their rights and privileges are freely taken away. This affects their education as a young child trying to pursue an education to be developed to become financially and economically stabled in the long run as well as, to have a sense of empowerment. Child marriages also threatens the health, future development of the lives of young girls both physically and psychologically.

I have come to understand that child marriage is practiced in the Hindu, Muslim and Orisha beliefs however, as a young educated student, each child has a right to free education and one should enjoy his/her time till adolescence. One should be given equal opportunities, and should be given a voice of opinion with regards to the matter. I strongly disagree with child marriage as many children are forced into something which is not of their likeness and they therefore become negatively affected and girls are now subjected to become "slaves" to their "husbands".

INEQUALITY CAUSED BY THE MAHA SABA IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

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Education is a systematic process through which a child or an adult acquires knowledge, experience, skills and sound attitude. It makes an individual civilized, refined, cultured and educated. The idea of equality in the education system has brought immense change across the world within a few centuries, but educational equality remains an issue for many countries.

I have understood through research and knowledge that every citizen has equal fundamental rights and freedom where discrimination is prohibited by reason of race, origin, colour, religion or sex (The Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, 1976). However, this may not have been the case as the Sunday Express newspaper in (Fig 1.4), illustrates that discrimination existed within the Tunapuna Hindu Primary School. Afro children and workers residing in the country were denied equal opportunities, as strict warnings were given by Sat Maharaj to the principal to remove "African" On The Job (OJT) workers and to reject non-indian children from being apart of the school. Many views and opinions were by shared by citizens on a Facebook post in (Fig 1.5), as some commented on the issue and slammed Mr. Maharaj for his actions, referring to him as "Racist" and many argued that discrimination within the Sanatam Dharma Maha Saba schools has been happening for quite some time.

Religion of all forms play a major role in the education sector and religious leaders should not discriminate a person regardless of their colour or race as demonstrated in the article. Everyone has rights and freedom of their own which, is enshrined in any Constitution of a country. As a person of East Indian decent, I believe it is unfair for a person of another race to be treated differently from another, where education is concerned and the government should have asked Mr. Sat Maharaj to resign of his position as being part of the board of the SDMS. The role of religion in the education system is to educate students about diverse religions and beliefs, to generate greater levels of inter-religious awareness, respect and understanding, and promotes social inclusion where discrimination does not exist.

Figure 1.1

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St. Joseph Convent, Port of Spain

Figure 1.2

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Iere Village Primary School

CITATIONS

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Besson, Gerard A. "The Caribbean History of Archives." Paria Publishing Co
Ltd, 11 Aug. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2017.
<http://caribbeanhistoryarchives.blogspot.com/2011/08/lord-harris-
live-and-learn.html>.

"Historical Development of Education in Trinidad and Tobago."University of
Florida Digital Collections. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2017.
.

Mahabir, Kumar, Dr. "Lakshmi Girls’ now a prestige school."Trinidad and
Tobago's Newsday. N.p., 6 Oct. 2008. Web. 7 Apr. 2017.
.

Mahabir, Kumar, Dr. "The success of Hindu schools in the SEA exams in Trinidad &
Tobago."Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. N.p., 14 July 2009. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.
.

"SAT BLOCKED BLACK CHILDREN, PNM MP reveals school principal's
letter…."Sunday Express. N.p., 11 Nov. 2011. Web. 8 Apr. 2017.
<http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/SAT_BLOCKED_BLACK_CHILDREN-
133665408.html>.

"Time to abolish child marriage."Daily Express. N.p., 15 Jan. 2017. Web. 10 Apr.
2017. child-marriage>.

Trinidad and Tobago. Ministry of Attorney General and Legal Affairs.THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. N.p., 31
Dec. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.
.

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Discrimination in the Education Sector

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Views and Opinions Shared by Citizens of a Facebook Post