It’s exciting to report a new teaching resource for primary school teachers called Game On has been developed in this manner and is now being piloted by 80 teachers in 30 schools across Trinidad and Tobago as part of International Inspiration.
Year 2 students at La Seiva RC Primary School in Maraval, Trinidad doing animal twists as part of structured PE classes
Game On was developed by the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education (TTASPE) with the support of the Ministry of Education. It will help teachers to deliver PE classes in a structured and inclusive way, engaging students and ensuring fun lessons for children of all abilities.
The Game On team in Trinidad and Tobago is over the moon to have the pilot finally in schools across the country. With strong support from both the Ministry of Sport and Ministry of Education, its future looks bright.
Lead trainer for Game On, Thao Joseph, said: 'Physical education is about more than sport – it’s an important tool to teach life and social skills and to develop strength of character in young people. PE and sport is about getting every single child involved and absorbed in their lessons, through structured fun and games.'
Ministry support
Adding to this good news, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Sport has agreed to provide funding for schools on the pilot programme to purchase sporting equipment to further enhance their classes.
Jasbinder Birk, Manager of the British Council, which runs London 2012’s International Inspiration programme in Trinidad and Tobago, welcomes the commitment of both the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Education.
'We’re delighted that International Inspiration and the British Council are helping to bring the benefits of sport to Trinidad and Tobago’s primary schools,' Birk said. 'There’s an impressive level of commitment within the ministries to make this work, and the reaction of teachers involved in Game On has been wonderful.'
Despite only being in the pilot phase, Game On is already having a positive impact. Previously sceptical teachers have returned to their schools after completing the two-day workshops utterly enthused about PE. Four teachers from one school, who attended a Game On workshop in September, convinced their principal to close the school for a day so they could share their new skills to their colleagues.
With the local Ministry of Education fully behind Game On, alongside plans to introduce PE as an assessable subject in 2014, PE looks set to play a stronger role in the Trinidad and Tobago school system. It’s another shining example of the impact International Inspiration is having around the world, thanks to the support of its inspiring delivery partners.
