Education

Modern School Infrastructure Design Competition Awards held

A revolution in school design is needed to support the upcoming education transformation planned for the island’s educational system.
This word comes from Minister of Education, Kay McConney, as she addressed attendees of Monday’s award ceremony for the recently-concluded Modern School Infrastructure Design Competition, held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

The education minister said: “As we shift from traditional approaches and instructional approaches towards more modern approaches that meet our children how they learn, and that greet our teachers with cutting-edge instructional methods, our entire system from infrastructure to curriculum must be made ready to empower 21st century education.”
She added that the designs which were selected as finalists were more than just elegant drawings, but in fact “are about transforming spaces into dynamic hubs of collaboration, of creativity and of innovation. Our redesigned spaces in Barbados will be flexible and adaptable, promoting teamwork and critical thinking. Classrooms will support different group configurations, learning styles and project-based learning.

*Prime Minister Mottley addressing attendees art the award ceremony*

“Resilience and sustainability both underpin our vision for modern school infrastructure, keeping in mind that we as a country must face down challenges of the climate crisis which is very real. We must face down challenges of cleaner energy sources which will serve our best interest including that of our environment. Our modern school buildings will incorporate eco-friendly designs and renewable energy sources, teaching our students the importance of environmental stewardship.”

The three finalists selected in each category areas follows: Corey Evelyn, Ruth Durant-Sobers and Christopher Barnett for nursery; Maurice Clarke, Alana Brooks and Ruth Durant-Sobers for primary; Kevin Browne, lan Best and Julia Kirton for secondary, and Julia Kirton, Frederick Johnson and Corey Evelyn for special needs.

Education

Immigration Webinar For Students Wishing To Study In Canada

Barbadians interested in pursuing studies in Canada are invited to participate in the online Immigration Seminar of the Consulate General of Barbados, in Toronto.

The Consulate, as part of its annual activities to observe National Heroes Day, is hosting a week of activities, and the key event will be the Immigration Seminar tomorrow Thursday, April 24, at 6:00 p.m.

Over the past 12 months, there have been significant changes to the requirements and processes for obtaining an international student visa. As a result, the seminar will focus on the recent changes to the entry requirements for international students coming to Canada to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Prospective students, as well as parents, guardians, guidance counsellors, school teachers and principals, who have a vested interest in obtaining the most up-to-date and accurate information to make the most informed choice from the available study options, are encouraged to participate in the online seminar.

Alana Alleyne, a barrister and solicitor, will cover areas such as the latest changes to international student visas, eligibility criteria for student visas, requirements for postgraduate work permits, and changes to eligibility for spousal work permits. (PR/GIS)

Education

Information Session For Teachers Keen On Working In USA

Primary school teachers interested in working in the United States of America (USA) are invited to an upcoming Information Session, tomorrow Thursday, April 24.

The session will be hosted in the Main Conference Room of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The initiative is being facilitated by the Ministry, in partnership with the Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service, the Barbados Union of Teachers, and Participate Learning, a USA recruitment firm.

During the event, Participate Learning will share important information on the application and recruitment processes, as well as on working in the USA. (PR/GIS)

Education

Ellerslie Students Welcomed At Barbados’ Embassy In Panama

The Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama was pleased to welcome The Ellerslie School students and staff to its Chancery in Panama City, recently.

Chargé d’Affaires, Sandra Gittens, in her welcome to the group, which included Principal, Andrea Baptiste and Deputy Principal, Carl Applewhaite, shared the history of the mission, noting that the Embassy was established in 2020.

Mrs. Gittens said this was “in line with the Barbados Government’s desire to strengthen its relations and cooperation with Panama across a number of areas, including trade, investment, tourism and education”.

She expressed the hope that the visit would signal the start of a new relationship with The Ellerslie School in pursuit of future student-to-student and teacher-to-teacher exchanges, in collaboration with the Ministries of Educational Transformation and Training and Tertiary Education and its Panamanian counterpart, within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.

Speaking on the value of learning a foreign language, First Secretary, Shireifa Joseph, spoke of her experience as a foreign language student and the positive impact that it has had on her career.

She encouraged the students to continue their foreign language journey, signalling that they were well on their way to becoming “bridge builders” in their future careers with the capacity to connect Barbados to other countries across the globe.

Counsellor at the Embassy, Michelle Carter, also noted the value of language learning, especially for those studying tourism, stating that developing a strong proficiency in a foreign language will serve as a critical tool in opening doors to their success in this sector, whether in Barbados or abroad. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Students, teachers and parents of the Ellerslie secondary school to the Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama