Now Playing

Minister begins weekly school inspections ahead of September reopening

July 22, 2026

The Ministry of Education Transformation has stepped up direct monitoring of school repairs and new builds ahead of the September reopening, with Minister Chad Blackman launching weekly site visits to track progress across dozens of campuses.

The visits come as the ministry advances school infrastructure projects outlined under its nearly $290m allocation for the 2026-27 financial year, including the refurbishment of 35 schools as part of the government’s education transformation agenda.

Blackman on Wednesday toured five schools within a two-mile radius: the new Barbados Climate School at Chelston Park, Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary, St Giles Nursery, Wilkie Cumberbatch School and Maria Holder Nursery at Government Hill, to assess progress on infrastructure works and preparations for the new school year.

He said: “This morning, I led a team including the head and team of our Technical Management Unit, as well as education officers, on a tour of a number of our schools that are either being refurbished in the summer works programme, or on the other end, entirely new builds throughout the summer and beyond.”

He noted that 35 schools are undergoing refurbishment this summer, with 13 closing early after examinations to maximise construction time before students and teachers return for the new academic year.

The tour also included nursery schools as the ministry prepares to roll out universal preschool in September.

“Additionally, as we roll out, come September, universal access to early childhood education, I was joined by our education officer for early childhood education to see preparations in some of our nursery schools.”

Blackman said the inspections would continue over the coming weeks as work progresses across the island.

He suggested that Barbadians would continue to see significant construction activity as the government presses ahead with plans to modernise the country’s learning infrastructure.

“Work is continuing in earnest and, as Barbadians traverse across the country, you will continue to see significant work ongoing as we build out modern infrastructure,” Blackman said.

Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to maintaining school infrastructure beyond the traditional summer period, he said:

“I also want to recommit that the work of improving our facilities will continue to be a year-round exercise, thus allowing for us to make the necessary upgrades, not just in summer alone, but during the weekends, holidays and other vacation periods.”

Blackman also thanked teachers, students and parents for their continued support as the ministry carries out the programme.