Almost nine out of every ten schools across Barbados have met the requirements of the island’s School Nutrition Policy, Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw disclosed on Monday, describing the shift towards healthier eating and drinking habits among students as a significant cultural shift.
She told the House Estimates hearings on the ministry’s $289m allocation for the next fiscal year, that 85 per cent of the island’s 105 public schools have removed added-sugar beverages in keeping with the Barbados National School Nutrition Policy, which was launched in February 2023 to combat childhood obesity.
“As of today, about 85 per cent of our schools… are in full compliance with the removal of added sugar beverages,” she said. “With regard to water, our children are drinking a lot more water. That culture change is happening.”
More than 4.2 million bottles have been filled through water initiatives in schools, she said, describing the figure as evidence of a positive behavioural shift.
“Children are drinking lots of water, and this represents for us a behavioural change, and we are happy to see this,” Dr Archer-Bradshaw said.
The policy, which applies to both public and private institutions, mandates strict nutritional standards, including banning sugary drinks and limiting high-fat and high-salt snacks.
To support implementation, the Ministry of Educational Transformation has rolled out vendor and canteen concessionaire training programmes. The chief education officer acknowledged there was initial resistance from some providers.
“Initially when the canteen concessionaires and vendors started, they were a little bit hesitant with regard to the alternative options,” she said.
But she explained that training sessions conducted in collaboration with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, along with ministry-led initiatives, have helped vendors grow more comfortable offering healthier snacks and beverages.
“We continue to work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to do the Cool School Nutrition tours and for us it isn’t only about ensuring that children eat healthily, we want them to be active as well,” she said.
Beyond dietary changes, the ministry has also prioritised physical activity. Dr Archer-Bradshaw pointed to the Healthy Youth Through Physical Education initiative, a dedicated day encouraging teachers, students and staff to engage in movement.
“They will do their skipping, they will do jumping jacks, they will go and do aerobics on the field…but it’s about making sure that our students are active and that they’re healthy.”
Some 14 major initiatives are planned under the nutrition policy umbrella for the current academic year. Among them is a partnership with the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championships (BSSAC), which will include prizes for the most active young participants.
The ministry also plans additional vendor training and a review of the approved alternative snack list. Previously reviewed twice annually, the list will now be updated and published by the end of April to give vendors sufficient time to prepare for the new academic year.
“All of these things are what we are doing as part of implementation of the Barbados school nutrition policy,” Dr Archer-Bradshaw said.
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