A new Community Service Learning (CSL) programme aimed at reshaping how students engage with their schools and communities is being rolled out across Barbados’ secondary schools system.
The initiative, introduced under the Ministry of Education Transformation’s whole-child approach, will be mandatory for all students from first form to sixth form and is intended to move students beyond academics and into practical service, leadership and civic responsibility.
Coordinator of the programme, Hannah Connell said the initiative was created to help students “give back to their communities while building responsibility, citizenship, national pride, and real world skills”.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY on Thursday, Connell explained that the programme was not simply about volunteering, but about helping young people develop identity, purpose and practical life experience.
“I would say the reason why I am involved in this initiative is because it is giving back in a sense to the community itself, the same way how people would pour into you and that would make a significant impact on your life.
“…Giving back to the community gives you a sense of pride, and just knowing that you can do more than just things for yourself . . . you can also pour into the community as well and build the community,” Connell said.
The programme comes as the government continues efforts to expand education beyond classroom instruction.
Connell said the initiative was first championed by Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman.
“This initiative is something that started early on in the year,” she explained. “Students understand that it’s more than just schooling in the classroom . . . it’s more about understanding how you can have those skills.”
According to Connell, the programme is currently being introduced in phases at all secondary schools across the island. Schools are now being sensitised while coordinators and support systems are being put in place ahead of full implementation.
“It will be rolled out in phases. Right now, we are meeting with schools, sensitising principals, identifying coordinators, preparing templates, and building the support systems needed before full implementation,” she said.
Connell confirmed that participation in the programme “is very much mandatory”, though she stressed schools would receive support to ensure implementation is manageable and properly structured.
The activities are expected to vary from school to school, with students encouraged to participate through already existing clubs or by developing new projects or initiatives.
“It’s not just attending a club, not just showing up . . . but more so actually being involved in the community,” Connell said.
The former national hurdler, who recently returned to Barbados after studying abroad, said the initiative was also designed to prepare students for life after school by exposing them to real-world experiences and opportunities.
“It is to give them the opportunity to have a voice when they come out of school to understand more than just going to school. They would be ready for the real world, and they would be ready for employment, and whatever they need to take on in the world,” Connell said.
The vision of the CSL programme is to develop well-rounded students through meaningful community engagement, leadership, responsibility, and service. It focuses not only on academics, but also on character development, citizenship, national pride, and practical life skills.
Connell is also encouraging members of the public, community organisations, churches and volunteers to support the initiative by partnering with schools and helping to create safe service opportunities for students.
“As they show their interest, then provisions would be put in place for them to be able to volunteer in whatever area, whatever aspect that may already be organised, or that we may be preparing to organise,” she said.
She also sought to reassure parents who may be uncertain about the mandatory aspect of the programme.
“This programme is not meant to overwhelm students or take away from academics,” Connell said. “It is designed to build character, confidence, responsibility, and national pride, while preparing students for real-world experiences on a national level.”
(LE)
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