On July 29, 2016, Pope Francis told young people at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, that the world needs those who do not live their lives “halfway”. Today we celebrate the life of Dr Edrick Gift who died on February 4. He certainly did not live his life “halfway”.
Dr Gift, who was born in Moriah, Tobago, was an international consultant in Curriculum Theory and Development. He advised many governments in the region, including T&T, in his area of specialisation.
For several years, he served as a member of the academic staff of the School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. He attained the rank of Senior Lecturer, Vice-Dean, Dean and University Dean before retirement. He had considerable experience in all sectors in the education system (primary, secondary and tertiary).
As I sat in the pew at his funeral at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Tacarigua, on February 15, looking around at the many prominent citizens whom he had taught/supervised over the years —up to PhD level, I recalled a statement by Fr Michael Duffy: “We come to bury his hands but not his good works”.
Dr Gift was an executive member of Trinidad and Tobago’s Education Discussion Group (EDG) which was established in 2004 by the late Prof John Spence. I was Chair of EDG for a number of years.
Dr Gift’s Chapter in the Journal of the EDG on issues in Education, 2014, is worth reading (see library at UWI & School of Education). In it, he highlights some of the deficiencies of our education system, particularly as they relate to a lack of recognition of eligible local consultants.
Prof Spence’s article entitled: ‘In education? Oh, the shame of it!’ (Trinidad Express, January 2, 2013), also refers to our penchant for preferring foreign consultants.
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Another member of EDG, Dr David Subran, who was also at the funeral, had worked as Dr Gift’s research assistant in 2004, on the IADB project evaluating the SEMP curricula in Science, Social Studies and Technology Education in 2004.
He said to me: “A comprehensive report was prepared with crucial recommendations, but there was no follow up, because some officials felt indicted by the report. It seems a pity that the highly professional work of this local expert, Dr Gift, had been often ignored. However, that continues to be the fate of local research. Hence the sad state of our education system. Imagine that with all his expertise in curriculum planning that was recognised internationally, T&T always felt the need to import foreign consultants, who were ignorant of local culture. Dr Gift never sacrificed quality for expediency. He was always abreast of global trends, and a firm believer in the quality of local research. His life can serve as an example of professional integrity.”
In 2002, Dr Gift was awarded the Public Service Medal of Merit (Silver) for outstanding and meritorious service to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the field of education.
At his funeral, tributes were paid to this humble man who shared his talent generously. He was referred to as a mentor, a family man, a man of discipline who had a keen sense of responsibility and who was faithful in friendship. He touched the lives of many. As his brother, Hollister, said in his eulogy: “Edrick indeed had a successful and productive life. Even though we will miss him, he has left a legacy that will long be remembered.”
Dr Gift’s faith sustained him. The gospel reading chosen for his funeral: Matthew 25:31–40, was most appropriate. Fr Anderson Maxwell reminded us that, in the end, we will all have to account for how we used our gifts during our lifetime, and that we should use our gifts wisely so that God’s will for the world will be achieved.
Dr Gift’s first wife, Norma, died after 25 years of marriage. They had two sons who survive them: Andre and Brian, both of whom displayed a deep sense of love and dedication to their father during his illness. He leaves to mourn these two sons and his second wife, Sybil-Ince Gift.
Eternal rest grant unto you, my dear friend.
