Barbados’ education reform is guided by five strategic goals aimed at creating a modern, inclusive and globally competitive system, Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman told Parliament on Tuesday.
He said the transformation agenda requires not just policy shifts but legislative changes.
Blackman said: “It is evident that changes to the system necessitate changes to the legislation and education policies to support new initiatives. Whilst the Education Act, which governs education in Barbados, has served the system well, several aspects are now largely outdated. The core statutes and associated legislation, not fully reflecting the realities and demands of the 21st-century education system.”
He explained that many provisions were crafted for a context in which teaching, learning, and school operations “differed significantly from the environment in which we’re in today”.
“They do not address current priorities such as digital capture of data, digital learning, inclusive education, climate-resilient infrastructure, or modern accountability standards,” said Blackman, who added that “these gaps have the potential to limit the ministry’s ability to respond to new pedagogical approaches and enforce quality standards across all institutions”.
Blackman said these goals have been deliberately selected because: “Improving student learning outcomes is at the heart of education transformation. By focusing on achievement, the ministry aims to ensure that every student acquires the skills, the knowledge, and the values necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world, regardless of their background, school, or learning contexts.
“Teachers are the engine of the education system itself, and by investing in the ongoing development of our teachers and school leaders, Barbados can build a highly competent and motivated teacher force that is well equipped to use modern and relevant methodologies and respond to the diverse needs of all of our students.” (FW)
The educational transformation agenda is anchored in five strategic goals:
1. Raise the level of student achievement across the board.
2. Empower and support our educators through continuous professional growth.
3. Modernise our physical and digital learning environments.
4. Strengthen the internal operations and strategic capabilities of the ministry.
5. Overhaul the legislative policy and governance frameworks that shape education delivery.
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