The Ministry of Education is set to roll out AI-supported learning tools in primary schools in 2026, with a focus on improving mathematics performance at primary school level.
Only about 52% of students pass primary school maths with fewer than 50% earning a passing grade at SEA Level.
The Minister of Education Dr Michael Dowlath told Trinidad and Tobago Today that this intervention is needed to strengthen understanding and critical thinking skills.
“Our students are growing up in the digital age, where technology is at their fingertips. They are digital natives, and we are looking at more attractive ways to engage with their school work, especially in the area of mathematics,” Dr Dowlath said.
“As we spiral up from primary into secondary, we will be using technology to ensure that students interact much more quickly with the subject areas and the content so that they could go on to critical thinking and problem solving skills,” he added.
The new SEA AI platform features an interactive avatar tutor with step-by-step explanations with built-in guardrails to ensure students stay on the lesson plan.
The platform covers mathematics and English and is accessible online and offline, with schools provided with flash drives.
“We are expecting in about three or four years that all our textbooks will be replaced,” said Minister Dowlath, “Textbooks are still important, but it will allow a more interactive way.”
Minister Dowlath sees the platform as supporting teachers and not as a replacement for them.
“Five years from now, I would say, that AI support will not replace teachers. Teachers are really important,” the Education Minister said, “They are the ones who will interact with our students and engaged them.”
