For Secondary Schools
Extending leadership development beyond the classroom.
The National Youth Ambassadors Programme of Trinidad and Tobago (NYAPTTO) works with secondary schools and education stakeholders to expand access to structured leadership, civic engagement and personal development opportunities for young people.
NYAPTTO is administered by the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Ambassadors (TTYA), a registered non-profit youth development organisation, and operates independently of schools and education authorities. Engagement with secondary schools is designed to complement the educational experience, with programme activities generally taking place outside of normal instructional time.
Secondary School Engagement
For school-based recruitment and outreach, NYAPTTO primarily engages students at the Forms 3–6 level, generally representing the upper-secondary age group.
Participating secondary schools may identify and recommend students who demonstrate the potential, character and readiness to benefit from the Programme.
Students do not need to already hold a formal leadership position. However, students identified and recommended through the school pathway should demonstrate:
- strong and exemplary conduct within the school community;
- integrity, respect and sound ethical judgement;
- responsibility and accountability for their actions;
- reliability, punctuality and effective time management;
- an ability to balance academic and extracurricular responsibilities;
- the ability to work effectively as a team player, collaborate with others and contribute positively to group activities;
- positive relationships with peers, teachers and other members of the school community;
- willingness to learn, accept guidance and work collaboratively;
- initiative, service-mindedness and leadership potential; and
- conduct consistent with the standards expected of a Youth Ambassador.
Schools are encouraged to recommend students who are in good standing and whose overall conduct demonstrates their readiness to represent their school and participate responsibly in a national youth development programme.
A school recommendation does not guarantee admission. Recommended students are still required to complete the Programme’s established application and selection process, and final selection remains the responsibility of NYAPTTO.
Age-Appropriate Learning
NYAPTTO brings together young people at different stages of their development. Programme content, activities and expectations are therefore delivered with consideration for the age, maturity and developmental stage of participants.
For secondary-school participants, learning experiences are designed to be engaging, practical and age-appropriate while providing exposure to areas such as leadership, citizenship, communication, community service, diplomacy, life skills and national development.
Where topics or activities require a greater level of maturity or complexity, the method of delivery, depth of discussion and participant expectations are adjusted accordingly.
How Secondary Schools Can Get Involved
Subject to the relevant approvals, secondary schools may:
- host an NYAPTTO information or recruitment session;
- share official programme information with students and parents/guardians;
- identify and recommend suitable students for consideration; and
- help students become aware of leadership, service and development opportunities available through the Programme.
NYAPTTO remains responsible for programme administration, selection and delivery. Secondary schools are not expected to deliver the NYAPTTO curriculum or manage participants on behalf of the Programme.
Participation & Academic Commitments
Programme activities are generally conducted outside of normal school hours.
Delivery may include virtual sessions, in-person sessions, community and field-based activities, institutional visits and experiential learning opportunities. Where applicable, selected programme activities may also be delivered in a residential format.
The format, location, duration and participation requirements for programme activities are communicated in advance to participants and, where applicable, their parents or guardians.
Participants are expected to demonstrate effective time management and maintain an appropriate balance between their Programme responsibilities and academic commitments. NYAPTTO recognises that participants remain students first and structures its expectations accordingly.
Standards of Conduct
Selection as a Youth Ambassador carries an expectation of responsible and exemplary behaviour.
Participants are expected to uphold the Programme’s standards of conduct, demonstrate respect for others, act with integrity, work effectively as part of a team, manage their responsibilities appropriately and represent both NYAPTTO and their respective school communities positively.
Significant or repeated conduct concerns may be considered when determining a student’s suitability for selection or continued participation in the Programme.
Safeguarding, Supervision & Consent
NYAPTTO applies safeguarding, supervision and participant-management measures appropriate to the nature of programme activities and the age of participants.
For participants under the age of 18, parent or guardian consent is required where applicable, including for relevant activities, residential experiences, travel or field-based activities, and the use of photographs or media.
External facilitators, partner organisations and institutions may contribute to selected learning experiences where appropriate. Such engagement is coordinated through the Programme and takes place within the applicable participant-management and safeguarding arrangements.
Participants and parents/guardians are provided with relevant information before activities requiring additional consent or specific arrangements.
Programme Costs
Financial arrangements may differ for students accessing NYAPTTO through an approved secondary school engagement initiative.
Depending on the particular initiative, available sponsorship and programme resources, eligible students may benefit from reduced or fully subsidised programme costs.
Any applicable financial requirement will be communicated clearly to the student and parent/guardian before enrolment.
Working With Secondary Schools & Education Stakeholders
NYAPTTO does not seek to replace existing school-based programmes. Instead, the Programme provides an additional pathway through which young people can strengthen leadership, civic responsibility, communication, practical life skills and meaningful community engagement.
Secondary schools and education stakeholders may engage with NYAPTTO in ways that are appropriate to their institution and do not ordinarily require schools to assume responsibility for programme delivery.
Interested in connecting your secondary school with NYAPTTO?
Secondary schools, educators and education authorities interested in student recommendations, information sessions or programme collaboration are invited to contact:
National Youth Ambassadors Programme of Trinidad and Tobago
schools@nyaptto.com
Secondary school engagement and access arrangements are coordinated with the relevant school or education authority where required.