Keep the Gate Open

GATE has revolutionized education in Trinidad and Tobago. Degrees are rampant all thanks to a move by government firstly in 2001 with the dollar for dollar programme then in 2004 with the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) programme. For the first time a lot of families can now boast of having degree holders. No longer are Degrees, Masters and PhD’s for a chosen few. Through this avenue, doctors, lawyers, business professionals and many others were produced. Something that to many before seemed unattainable was now a reality.

For 12 years we enjoyed it but like every good thing, it came to an end. Well in this case it didn’t end but the “gate” has closed in a bit. So what does that mean for the generation of students coming up? Yes, the gate is still open but to enter it, we have to put in a little something. Our children have a right to education too so parents have to make sure that they get it. And if we have to help the government, then so be it. We should be thankful that the entire financial burden of tertiary education doesn’t fall on us and the government is still assisting. Citizens from many countries around the world are not as fortunate as we are in T&T.

How do we then ensure that our children are not deprived? How do we keep the "gate" open? Start saving for college. We hear it all the time on American tv. Families have a college fund and it costs way more to get a degree in the US. We need to do the same. Start saving for your children’s education if you’re not already doing it. Who knows how long the existing GATE arrangement will last. It could get better or worse. Don’t chance your child’s future on a possible political decision. Save, Save, Save!!!

Classtube

“Daddy, I want to learn to play keyboard”. A decade or so ago I would have had to go searching for a reasonably priced keyboard class. Location, class times, transportation, teacher would all have to be considered and these a just a few of the issues that would need working out. But no more.

Welcome to the classroom of the 21st century. Classtube if you will.

We live in the information age. This is a mantra that I live by. I say it all the time to remind myself of it. It is so extraordinary that anything we want to know, anything we want to learn is at our fingertips. Information is easily accessible, convenient and instantaneous. The internet has changed the world. We need to embrace it and run with it.

Youtube.com is one of the greatest avenues for sharing that has ever been created. It is free to give and receive information. It can be your own personal tutor for diy home projects, repairing your vehicle, developing yourself academically or learning to play the keyboard.

If you didn’t understand the first time, you can go back and watch it again. If you don’t like the tutor, you can change him or her. You no longer need to spend money to learn the things you want to learn and even more than that, you don’t need to pay to get certain things done anymore. Just watch a video and you can do it yourself. Watch it, do it. It all adds up to savings.

How has youtube and the internet changed your life?