With the new school term set to begin Monday, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is accusing the government of scrambling to patch up school infrastructure at the 11th hour—a move the party says reveals deep flaws in educational planning.
Felicia Dujon, DLP spokesperson on education, dismissed the ministry’s touted “comprehensive maintenance plan” as “crisis management” dressed up as policy.
“The fact that the ministry had to rush to complete eight weeks of emergency work at St Luke’s Brighton, costing over half a million dollars, is proof of the government’s failure to plan and maintain schools properly,” she said in a statement. “For 30 weeks, children and teachers were displaced across community centres and churches. That is not proactive governance; it is a disgraceful disruption of education.”
Dujon said Barbadians should not be fooled by fresh coats of paint and hasty repairs. “Now, just days before the reopening of schools, the ministry is boasting about air quality tests and paint jobs as if Barbadians should be grateful that children finally have bathrooms and rodent-free classrooms. These are basic necessities, not luxuries. The government wants praise for fixing crises of its own making.”
Dujon said the Mia Mottley administration had developed a pattern of delay and denial, followed by a scramble to claim credit.
“This is the same government that promised transformation by 2028 while children continue to face unsafe environments today. This is a government that governs by slogan, reacting only after parents, teachers, and unions raise alarms. Barbadians know the pattern: delay, deny, then scramble under the cameras.”
The DLP has set out what it describes as a responsible standard for educational leadership, one grounded in consistent planning, accountability and student-centred governance.
“Education must never be reduced to political theatre,” Dujon declared. “Parents do not want excuses; teachers do not want last-minute disruptions; students do not want promises—they want safe schools and serious planning. This government cannot be trusted to deliver either. Barbadians deserve a DLP government that will end the cycle of neglect, plan with foresight, and put our children first.”
She said that proactive planning, routine preventative maintenance and properly resourced classrooms are essential. “True leadership is not scrambling at the last minute but planning with foresight. That is what Barbadians deserve,” she added.
The Ministry of Education has sought to assure the public that all schools will be ready for reopening. Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw confirmed that works were completed at 47 schools over the summer, including $500 000 in major renovations at St Luke’s Brighton Primary. (SZB)
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