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The Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar Prime Minister.

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Kamla Persad Bissessar biography & profile

Kamla Persad-Bissessar is the prime minister of Trinidad & Tobago.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar was born on April 4, 1952 in Siparia and was the first female Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago when she was sworn in as Attorney General in November 1995. She also acted Prime Minister in September 2000, thus being the first female to act Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar attended Norwood Technical College and later University of the West Indies where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (General) (1974) and a Diploma in Education (1976). She was a lecturer in Language and Linguistics at UWI's St Augustine and Mona campuses and a teacher at Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College. She was also a social worker with the Church of England Children's Society in London.

In 1985, Mrs Persad-Bissessar opted to pursue a career in law when she entered the Hugh Wooding Law School where she was named top student at her graduation two years later. She worked in the chambers of Mr Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj before practicing on her own from 1988.

Mrs Persad-Bissessar entered politics in 1987 when she became an alderman for the National Alliance for Reconstruction in the St Patrick County Council. She was appointed as an Opposition Senator in November 1994 and in November 1995 and 2000 was elected Parliamentary Representative for Siparia.

Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Special Education and Teacher Education. Additionally, she is responsible for Educational Broadcasting, Educational Counselling and Guidance, Moral, Ethical and Spiritual values and Physical Education in schools.

Also under the purview of this Minister are Educational Facilities Management of Pre-schools, Primary and Secondary Schools, Examinations, Registration of Private Education Institutions, School Boards and the School Nutrition Programme.

The National Commission for UNESCO also falls under the jurisdiction of Mrs Persad-Bissessar.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar was formally sworn in as Attorney General on November 9, 1995. She was subsequently appointed as Minister of Legal Affairs on February 2, 1996 and held this post up to October 1999. She was appointed Minister of Education in 1999 and has retained this portfolio following the 2000 elections.

PERSONAL LIFE

Mrs Persad-Bissessar is married to Dr Gregory Bissessar and is the mother of one son. Her recreational interests are reading and walking. She also has an interest in social work and equal opportunities for women being a former secretary and vice chairperson of the National Organisation for Women.

Appointed Attorney General October 1, 2001