History

Couva East Secondary School (formerly Couva Government Secondary School) opened in January 1963.  At that time the school was housed in a wooden building on Balisier Street with a Principal, teaching staff of eight and approximately 100 students.  Over the next 61 years Couva East Secondary School has grown in physical size, population and reputation.  The school, today, is sited on Church Street on approximately 8 acres.  It consists of 8 buildings, temporary labs, a library facility, cafeteria, farm area, playfield, (but lacks a badly needed auditorium).  The students population has increased more than tenfold to 900 with 53 Teachers, Principal, Vice Principal and 8 non-teaching members of staff.  Change is inevitable and Couva East Secondary has undergone significant changes in its 60 years of existence.  This school is proudly known as being one of the best Government Secondary Schools in the country.  These changes, however, were not achieved without the hard work and dedication of many groups and individuals, each making contributions towards the dreams, mission and vision of the school.  Determination, Achievement, Discipline and Focus are the watch words and driving force for the school's success.  The role of the Ministry of Education is crucial one and indeed the pilot project establishing the Government Secondary schools proved to be successful; fulfilling the needs of the education of the children in carefully chosen areas when there was limited space available in the existing "prestige schools".  Couva East Secondary School can easily today be regarded as a "prestige school".  An examination of the framework within which the school functions will provide an understanding of why this school has become so successful.