Parents, teachers and students unite for ARROW education

This article was published on pg. 36 of Trinidad Daily Express on Wednesday 29 July 2026

THE partnership between the Scotiabank (Trinidad and Tobago) Foundation, the ARROW Foundation and the Ministry of Education is continuing to pay dividends by uniting stakeholders in the drive for the educational progress of primary level students. This was solidified with the recent conclusion of ARROW-based training at the Aranjuez Government and Esperanza Presbyterian Primary Schools, which brought tremendous benefit to 50 students and included parents and teachers in a series of developmental workshops.

Demonstrating the impact of the training was nine-year-old Cayleb of Esperanza Presbyterian, “I am really glad I was chosen for the ARROW training because it has helped me so much with my reading, writing and spelling. I want to be a lawyer when I grow up, and I know that these skills will allow me to achieve this dream. Using the computer is fun and exciting and it made learning so much easier—I think every student should have this opportunity to learn and be better.”

JOINT EFFORT: Nigel Clarke, principal of Aranjuez Government; Cindy Mohammed, general manager, Scotiabank Foundation; and Ashley Broadbelt, manager, ARROW Foundation, encourage the progress made by a student.

Started two years ago in June 2024, this dynamic partnership has provided reformative learning to students ranging from First Year to Standard Four. Sponsored by the Scotiabank Foundation, it involves the use of the patented ARROW computer-based approach to enhance reading, spelling, dictation, speech and listening skills. The progress of the students is tracked through individual pre- and post-training assessments that measures each students’ improvement in reading and spelling age. The results at both primary schools were dramatic, with some students able to double their reading and spelling ages over the course of the six-week training period. According to Cindy Mohammed, general manager, Scotiabank (Trinidad and Tobago) Foundation, “Expanding this partnership to include two additional schools marks an important step in strengthening literacy outcomes for our young learners. Through our continued partnership with the ARROW Foundation, we are reaching more students with a proven, technology-enabled approach that builds critical skills. By empowering both students and teachers, we are helping to unlock potential, strengthen confidence, and create lasting impact in the communities we serve.” As part of the move to constantly upgrade the delivery of the programme, teachers and parents from both schools were invited to take part in online workshops delivered by ARROW Foundation director, Cornelia Bonterre.

Participants delved into critical topics including, ‘The Power of Understanding and Nourishing the Whole Child’ and ‘Strengthening Ourselves, Our Families and Communities’. Nigel Clarke, principal of Aranguez Government, testified to the impact of the remedial training initiative: “This is an excellent training programme, and we have witnessed the vast improvement in the participating students. One of the main aspects linked to the success of the students is the increase in their self-esteem and self-belief, enforced through the computer-based learning. Although guided by the ARROW tutor, there is a level of autonomous learning that allows the students to attribute their improvement to their own efforts. We must thank the Scotiabank Foundation and ARROW for this investment in our future leaders.”

The ARROW (Aural, Read, Respond, Oral, Write) approach was developed in the United Kingdom by Dr Colin Lane. The training is built on computer-based learning that applies the use of the selfvoice—a recording of the learner’s own voice while reading—which forms the basis of the multi-sensory learning approach. Summarising the entire initiative was the ARROW Foundation’s manager, Ashley Broadbelt, “I consider it a privilege to be able to witness the growth and progress of every single student that takes part in this programme. For the students at Aranjuez Government and Esperanza Presbyterian, the progress they have made is a testament to what is possible when we come together to support students, build their confidence, and help them recognise that they can achieve their goals.” “The mission of the ARROW Foundation is to provide targeted literacy interventions that meet students where they are, while empowering learners of varying abilities and levels of academic performance to reach their full potential.

This work is only possible through the shared vision and support of the Scotiabank Foundation. We look forward to deepening our collaboration and continuing to create opportunities that help every student build the skills, confidence, and foundation they need to thrive,” Broadbelt added.