As Barbados celebrates 59 years of independence, educators like Shurland Boyce are using the milestone to reflect on the nation’s journey and the future of its young people, highlighting both achievements and the challenges ahead. Lauryn Escamilla reports.
In the Theatre Arts classroom at the Christ Church Foundation School, the rhythmic sound of a man calling out movements — “Marching, boxing, freeze, unfreeze!” — can be heard from outside. Shurland Boyce stands at the front, guiding his third form Theatre Arts class through acting drills. Laughter mixes with focus as the students move through their routines, a blend of energy and discipline that captures the spirit of both the classroom and the nation at 59.
Boyce, who teaches English Language, Literature and Theatre Arts, says what Independence means to him. “For me, Independence is a time of togetherness,” he shared. “It’s when we can celebrate how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved in all the 59 years of Independence. I know some people look at it as just another day, but we’ve got to look at it as what it is for us culturally, what it is for us as a people, and how we can build on our independence to take the country forward.”
Originally from England, where he taught for ten years, Boyce recalled his early teaching experience in Barbados, which he has been doing for 15 years, and the moment he truly felt like a teacher. “I think in my second year of teaching, I was teaching English Language at CSEC and it was my first time navigating the syllabus, and that year out of 25 students, 17 got Grade Ones. It really felt like I was contributing something — the children were understanding and we were going forward.”
As the island reflects on its journey since 1966, Boyce is focused on how education can continue to shape Barbados’ future. “My hope would be that we develop our students into world students,” he explained. “So they know they’re not confined to just doing things or working in Barbados. I’d like to see a more well-rounded education system, especially at tertiary level, where there’s a lot more opportunities, a lot more choices — to get good, well-paid jobs in Barbados.”
He also expressed concern about the uncertainty many young people face. “A lot of our children are lost in terms of knowing what they want to do,” he said. “We can do more to take them to colleges and universities, let them spend a day there, see how it operates, talk to lecturers — I think that’s something we can do.”
Despite these concerns, his classroom remains a place of hope. Fifth form students often drop by when they have a free period — a sign of the connection he’s built with them.
This Independence season, Boyce’s classroom in Christ Church stands as a small reflection of the larger national dream — one of progress, purpose, and pride in shaping the next generation of Barbadians.
(LE)
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