Heritage Keepers Programme launched at Todd’s Road RC Primary

The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago (NTTT), through its Education Outreach Programme, continues to advance its mission of promoting heritage awareness and preservation among the nation’s citizens.

Among its flagship initiatives is the Heritage Keepers Programme (HKP), an innovative educational project designed to engage the hearts and minds of primary and secondary school students in appreciating and safeguarding Trinidad and Tobago’s rich heritage.

The programme encourages students to observe, document, protect, and preserve the heritage assets within their communities. Significantly, its objectives align closely with the existing curricula and syllabi of both primary and secondary schools, making it a valuable complement to classroom learning.

Through collaboration among the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM), and other denominational education boards, the NTTT envisions a generation of young citizens who are not only knowledgeable about their heritage but also committed to its preservation.

A major milestone in the implementation of this vision was achieved on June 3 at Todd’s Road RC Primary, where the HKP was formally launched. The event marked the school’s induction into the programme and celebrated the enrolment of 116 students—more than half of the school’s population—as Junior Members of the NTTT.

Todd’s Road RC School, together with two other Catholic schools in the Central District, was selected as a pilot institution for the programme following the endorsement of Fr David Khan, Vicar for Education and CEBM’s Chief Executive Officer.

Among the distinguished guests present for the occasion were Fr Khan; Graeme Suite, CEO of the NTTT; Dr Adesh Ramlal, School Supervisor I of the Caroni Education District, MoE; Joseph Bertrand, architect of the HKP and NTTT Education Outreach Officer; and Dr Kadelle Jessamy, NTTT Council Member responsible for the Education Sub-Committee.

As part of the day’s celebrations, students proudly showcased a range of heritage-themed projects, including time capsules, memory boxes, hand-drawn maps of Todd’s Road Village highlighting local heritage assets, and a variety of original educational games.

One particularly creative exhibit was the ‘Todd’s Road Heritage Snakes and Ladders’ game, designed by the students themselves.

Following the induction ceremony, during which the new junior members received their official NTTT membership cards and pins, the students entertained guests with cultural presentations.

The event concluded with fellowship and hospitality as guests shared a meal together, marking a memorable beginning to what promises to be a transformative educational initiative.

The HKP represents a significant investment in the future of Trinidad and Tobago, empowering young people to become active custodians of the nation’s cultural and historical legacy.

For Catholic schools, this initiative resonates deeply with the Church’s understanding of stewardship and the responsibility entrusted to each generation to preserve the gifts it has received.

By fostering respect for history, culture, community, and place, the Programme helps form young people who appreciate their identity, value their inheritance, and recognise their duty to pass it on enriched for future generations.

In this way, the HKP contributes not only to heritage preservation but also to the holistic formation of responsible citizens and faithful stewards of the common good.

—Diane Bertrand, Coordinator,

Education Outreach and Communications Department, NTTT