Dr. Noel Kalicharan   Maintaining a Track Record of Education Excellence

As a member of the Ministry of Education's Advisory Committee responsible for Computer Education in Secondary Schools from 1986-1998, Dr. Kalicharan brought his vast knowledge and experience of computer science to bear in pioneering policy in an uncharted area.

In 1998, he formulated and developed a programme of courses for training secondary school teachers to teach Information Technology. He was ideal for the job, given his experience in teaching computer science at UWI since 1976 and his role as Chief Examiner, Information Technology, for CXC, since 1992. He was the principal/teacher for the programme delivered to over 120 teachers from 1998-2000. These teachers became the core for those schools offering CXC's IT.

As Member, Board of Directors, National Training Board, appointed by the Minister of Education, 1993, he formulated policy for technical and vocational education in Trinidad & Tobago.

He has demonstrated leadership and innovation which has enhanced the Education System in Trinidad & Tobago

In 1985, when computing textbooks were virtually non-existent, Dr. Kalicharan wrote the first locally-written book on computer studies, "Computer Studies-Fundamental Plus". This became the textbook of choice for secondary schools. In 1988, Cambridge University Press published his book, "Introduction to Computer Studies". This became the de facto book of choice for secondary school students in the Caribbean, the UK and around the world. Two of his other books, "Computers-Bit by Bit" and "Pascal Programming for CXC" have been widely used by schools throughout the Caribbean.

Always concerned about the inability of students to think, he created two games, "Brainstorm!" and "Not Just Luck". They both won the Prime Minister's Award For Invention and Innovation in 2000 and 2002.

His 1996 article "Good grades but poor thinkers" generated widespread national debate on a topic at the core of our education system.

Examples of how he demonstrated the highest standards of professional ethics, dedication and commitment to the Ministry of Education

In 1993, Dr. Kalicharan was approached by Ministry of Education officials to take over the running of the Computer Olympiad. This is a computer programming competition for secondary school students leading to participation at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).

Every year from 1993-2012, he organises and runs the local competition (sends out notices, formulates the problems, marks the submissions, raises funds). He also trains the team for the IOI. For 20 years and counting, he has done this work voluntarily, his sole aim being to raise the standard of computer programming among our secondary school students.

How he has inspired and influenced Education Excellence

Dr. Kalicharan has written many influential papers that has sparked debate in the national community. "Good grades but poor thinkers” was mentioned above. Among others that have received widespread attention are "An education system to nurture creativity" (some published it under the title "Optimising our human potential"), "Not all First Class Honours are equal", "A ‘papered’ society, not an educated one", "Time to test the teachers" and "Minister, make it easy to discipline teachers".

Dr. Kalicharan has demonstrated that not only can he deliver practical content but he can make us think of what is wrong with our education system and what we can do to improve it.

His latest book "DigitalMath - Math In Your Hands" explains a revolutionary way to do arithmetic using your hands. While it is early days yet, this technique is expected to have a Dr.amatic effect on "arithmetic literacy" in this country and beyond.

DCIT

18-03-2013