SOCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
51
SUSTAINING GROWTH, SECURING PROSPERITY
CHAPTER 3: NATIONAL SOCIAL SITUATION
the inaugural cycle proved to be a success.
The expansion of the programme sought to
increase music literacy among pannists, as well
as to increase the volume of persons, especially
youths, learning music.
Over the period June 2013 to September, 2013,
six schools have been participating in the
programme.
v. Mentoring by the Masters
This initiative seeks to facilitate the transfer of
knowledge from accomplished senior artists to
up-and-coming individuals in their respective
cultural fields. Additionally, the initiative aims
to honour these accomplished artists in the
process. Mentors who participated in the first
cycle of the programme were honoured in an
AwardCeremony inApril 2013,which recognised
their contributions to the programme and the
cultural sector.
The mentors from the first cycle of the course
were Krishna Persad (dance), Errol Ince (music),
Rodney Ramjit (Ramleela presentations), Kim
Johnson (film) and Zeno Constance (theatre).
vi. Policy Development in Arts and Culture
Policy Development and Research
In Fiscal 2012, two policies were redrafted
- the Draft National Policy Framework for
Multiculturalism and the Draft National Cultural
Policy. The National Cultural Policy is designed
as an overarching philosophical statement to
guide strategic planning for the cultural sector
at the national level, referencing core legislation
and international agreements to which Trinidad
and Tobago subscribes. It will be subject to
periodic review to ensure consistency with the
dynamic needs of sectors. The Multiculturalism
policy framework will facilitate and sustain the
development of the diverse forms of culture
practiced in Trinidad and Tobago. The policy
was drafted after a series of consultations with
key stakeholders. Both these draft policies are
currentlybefore theCabinet for itsconsideration.
A Stakeholder Meeting: Parade of the Bands
was also held in September 2012. This meeting
of Carnival stakeholders was convened with an
agenda to have all participants chart the way
forward for the transformation of Carnival.
A Draft Policy was also developed for the
upgrading of the Art and Culture Allowance of
the Corporation Tax Act and the development
of quotas for 50% airplay on local media that
provides incentives similar to the art and culture
allowance.
3.6 POVERTY REDUCTION
& HUMAN CAPITAL
DEVELOPMENT
1. P
OVERTY
R
EDUCTION
The recognition of the importance of addressing
Poverty Eradication is reflected in the GORTT’s
identification of the Medium Term Priority:
Poverty Reduction and Human Capital
Development. According to the Survey of Living
Conditions (SLC) 2005, the poor constituted
16.7% of the population, with an indigence
level of 1.2% and a vulnerable population of
9%, which since prompted a target to reduce
poverty by 2% per annum. The next SLC is
expected to be conducted by the end of 2013.
In lieu of this survey, the Central Statistical
Office (CSO) based on the analysis of the
2008/2009 Household Budgetary Survey in
2012 and reported a poverty rate of 14.8%.
30
The GoRTT further recognises that constructing
“a society free from poverty” requires a variety
of strategies designed to:
• Create sustainable employment and income
generating opportunities;
• Provide appropriate housing solutions;
30 Please note: the SLC and HBS are two entirely different
surveys and cannot be compared for trends.
