How and Why we built this Platform
Our motivation
CZITT-Ed is our response to the COVID-19 pandemic which left hundreds of thousands of students in the Caribbean “stranded” at home and with limited opportunities to receive anything close to the level of education they deserve. CZITT had been working with young people, particularly at the secondary school level in awareness and projects in the fight against climate change. When the learning started to go online, we saw the opportunity to reach a wider base online with Education for Sustainable Development.
We had just completed Season II of the Secondary Schools Climate Quiz when the lockdown started. Suddenly, 600,000 high school students were no longer in school, and more than half of them did not have access to adequate online classes or study material. The pandemic also exposed the weaknesses and inequalities in the traditional education system, and the vulnerabilities of the youth. Recognising that climate change is persisting regardless of any global disruption, CZITT chose to deploy its resources to creating this platform.
Goals and Objectives
We designed this platform to support, and where needed lead, the revolution needed in education. Accordingly we have a goal of creating the learning environment of the future – today. We set out to support students in need of a refresher or self study, parents who suddenly have to become teachers and teachers who are losing contact with their students. Entire schools can have a portal on our platform where their students will have access to their designated information.
The core of our content is short videos on topics covering the syllabus which can be viewed on one’s own time. This is complemented by online documents, textbook references, study guides, past papers and other resources including live online sessions with our tutors. From the comfort and safety of your home, you will be able to view the videos, read the documents, participate in live classes, and take assessmnt quizzes. Teachers, and schools, are invited to have their own portals with their own material.
Our Content Development Process
Review Panel
Melanie Tikasingh
BA Languages. 12 years experience as secondary school teacher. Now adult literacy tutor. Experienced administrator.
Claudette Pustam
International Masters in Strategic Marketing (IMSM). 20+ years as Manager, Marketing Manager and Managing Director. 5+ years as a Marketing Consultant.
Prem Nandlal HBM
BSc Chemistry. Achieved considerable amount of Corporate Governance experience in the Energy and related Regulatory Agencies. Now further committed to mentoring young graduates in Climate Change and Sustainable Development.
Grace Talma HBM
MSc Human Services and Leadership. 35+ years as a Management Cosultant. Experienced University Lecturer, Developer of Training Programmes and Project Manager
Dr Curtis Boodoo
BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering and an MSc and PhD in Mathematics. 16+ years as a faculty member at University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) now Assistant Professor in the Utlities and Engineering Unit.
Fareed Ali
BSc in Global Management, MBA in Business Management. Experience in the petroleum, petrochemical, environmental, manufacturing, and consulting area with 18 years work experience in the technical field and 10 years in the business arena.
Vishala Sookram
BSc Mathematics & Computer Electronics, MSc Mathematics. Currently pursuing Diploma in Education As a Form 6 teacher, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this project and look forward to using this platform with my students.
Our top developers
Jeanique Adams
BSc Environmental Science and Biology, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. This experience has brought to my attention just how much work teachers have to put into bringing a lesson to the classroom. It is an experience I will take with me on my future career path as a teacher.
Kerysse Hoyte
Pursuing BSc International Relations Minor in Cultural Studies, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. These videos were a lot of fun to create and it was an amazing experience. Caribbean Studies has always been a favourite subject of mine.
Renay Baldeosingh
BSc Biology, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. I enjoy passing on knowledge to others therefore this experience was truly memorable.
Priyanka Dhanie
BSc. Sports Science (Hons) with concentrations in Exercise Science and Coaching. It’s a great experience working alongside individuals from different and diverse cultures, to come together to share our knowledge and experience with other students!”
Paula Joseph
BSc BBA Marketing (Magna Cum Laude) and AAS Business Administration (Hons.). Participating in this project was a very rewarding experience and I believe if there was such a program in existence when I was writing the CAPE Examinations, I would’ve benefitted tremdously.
Alixandria Ali
BSc Biology and Chemistry, currently MPhil candidate for Bio-Inorganic Chemistry working on developing medicine to treat dementia, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. I loved working on this project to share my passion for Biology and Chemistry with students.
Sandev Mackoon
BA (Hons) Business Management. Working with CZITT to create these presentations has been an absolute pleasure and I could not ask for a greater honour than to educate young minds.
Vicky Beharry
BSc Physics and Mathematics, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. “Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.” – Richard P. Feynman.
Samirah Abdool
BSc Mathematics, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. It was a great learning experience and opportunity to be a part of this forum. I am delighted to share with you what I have learnt and I hope that my videos help you in the future.
Sarika Chandoo
BSc Chemistry (Special), currently a Master of Philosophy Chemistry student, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. The experience with this project was very valuable to me. I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to educate the younger minds of society.
Hanaa Mohammed
BSc Mathematics and Computer Science, Teacher (Secondary). Thank you to the CZITT team for giving me the opportunity to create digital content. In this age of online learning, I hope students maximise the opportunity to access information on this platform.
Damian Ramsamooj
BSc Economics (Major), Minor Management Studies. Having the opportunity to work with CZITT on this academic project has broaden my reach to CAPE students and allowed the distribution of knowledge in these unorthodox times.
Jonathan Sinanan
BSc Chemistry, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Being a part of this project was a rewarding experience as I was able to contribute to a platform.
Shawntelle-Ann Syriac-Lynch
MSc Human Resource Management. For an individual to grow you must have knowledge to show. If you want your dreams to soar keep learning and seeking more.
Nirmala Ramkissoon
Bachelor’s of Law, LLB, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. This project allowed me to share my knowledge and to be helpful during this COVID-19 time.
Jaiya Aguilar
BA Marketing, School of Accounting and Management (SAM). This project gave me the opportunity to help students in my field of study in a creative environment. It was definitely a fun and fulfilling experience.
What our users have to say
