In September 2023, Grenda’s Ministry of Education will introduce Grenadian history to secondary schools from the Michaelmas term, which will be taught to pupils in form one and two.
This decision was taken to produce well-rounded graduates and citizens, which will develop a strong sense of national identity and patriotism.
A new text will support the introduction of the subject. Nichole Dowe PhD, is a writer of the selected textbook Junior History of Grenada, which is published by Collins, a publishing house Dowe has formally worked with.
For form two and three she co-authored their Social Studies text and collaborated on editing the History of Trinidad and Tobago. She started in 2020, within 18 months Dowe completed the Junior History of Grenada. Recently for Lower Secondary Schools, a one-day workshop was held to introduce the National History Curriculum (NHC), including many groups of history teachers at Marry show House, in St. George.
The values of teaching Grenadian History for primary schools will soon be developed as part of the OECS Pearls, following which the subject will be introduced.
Kenny James, a history teacher says, history promotes empathy, as we study civilization, individuals and things which affected them, we develop a sense of compassion.
Another workshop facilitator, Historian, Archivist and Director of the Grenada National Museum, John Angus Martin stated that, it is evident when individuals do not understand their own history, they tend to latch on things which may not be useful to them.
Teacher, Baptiste-Walters is exited to officially teach Grenadian history, and is happy with the organized approach and thanked Dr. Nicole Phillip Dowe for bringing in a such a needed textbook. She also added that after been a teacher for 18 years, this is the very first time she has come across a history book which is indigenous to Grenada. It’s excellent in terms of the content which includes student friendliness with pictures and a lot of higher and lower order questioning to allow pupils analysis and evaluation of the historical activities. There is also a chance for fun and to integrate with IT.
Members of the public can get a copy of the Junior History of Grenada text by following its launch in September.
