LATE Indian lawyer and civil rights activist Mahatma Gandhi once said people should be the change they wish to see in the world.
For Shimica Toppin, Gandhi’s words – a rallying call to action – are as relevant today as they were decades ago.
It’s what inspired her to contest the position of education officer in the People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council’s internal executive election on April 27 and 28. She previously served in the party’s youth league.
Toppin, who was among three candidates vying for the position, got 54 per cent of the votes and will serve on the party’s executive for the next two years.
“I would have reflected daily about what I would like to see as an individual for the party and for young persons in general,” she told WMN of her decision.
“It’s always very easy to sit from the outside and critique but having an active role in the decision-making process was the only way I felt that my ideas would bear fruit as even the knowledge I have would be of no value if it’s not put into practise. I just thought to myself that success favours the brave and I decided to go for it. So I took that leap to make the change.”
A standard three teacher at the Bon Accord Government Primary School, Toppin, 32, said her profession was also a “driving force” behind her decision to contest the position.
“I guess once a teacher, always a teacher. It truly is fulfilling to me being able to impart knowledge in one way or the other because according to Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.’”
She believes the role of education officer is crucial to the development of the party, its members and supporters.
“The party is guided by a constitution and under this the education committee falls, which is responsible for the social, political, economic and cultural education of members and the public in general.”
The education committee, Toppin said, also plays a key role in the PNM’s party school by helping to promote educational activities for all of its units.
[caption id="attachment_1084219" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Shimica Toppin hits the ground to meet voters before the April 27 and 28 poll. She was victorious and is now the People's National Movement's Tobago Council education officer. -[/caption]
The Prime Minister announced the establishment of the party school in September 2018 at the launch of his slate’s internal election campaign at the Arima Town Hall.
On that occasion, Dr Rowley said the school would give members a comprehensive understanding of the party’s role in the development of the country, and its vision for the future.
Toppin, who has a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Trinidad and Tobago, has already set out an agenda for her term.
“Through outreach programmes I would want to retool the members of the party based on their interest by way of financial seminars, health and wellness and other activities. I also intend to keep them up to date about current bills that they can benefit from
