The underlying principle of education is more than just academics. Space must be made to embrace the potential, skills and talents each student has, for them to become full and grounded individuals.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, expressed this view, as she gave the feature address at the opening ceremony of a college expo recently hosted by the Barbados Community College (BCC), entitled: ‘Innovate, Elevate, Celebrate’.

“The ethos of educational transformation as much as it is grounded within the primary and the secondary institutional framework, the epoch is much larger. It is about the extent to which we can create an ecosystem that is creative and supportive of [their] ambition… to create students who can make their own space in the global society, who are going to be able to make sure that they can apply the skills and the knowledge that they have gained throughout their school experience,” she said.

Senator Munro-Knight briefly addressed climate change, as not just an environmental challenge but also an exponential one; something which is changing the trajectory of how we live.

She cited that globally, the green economy and green jobs currently make up 7.2 trillion of the world economy, but explained that in five years, five per cent of man-hours will be lost in droves because of the daily impact of climate change.  However, she suggested that small island developing states can have an advantage.

“Smaller developing states will have a competitive advantage if we can leverage more of the skills, talents, and resources that we have to make our way in the current environment. But it also suggests as well, that there is unfair and unequal access to the technology that we will need to harness that competitive environment that exists.

“For us to be able to be competitive and to be able to make our way, we do not just need students who come out with certificates and students who will enjoy the experience of going through the educational framework, but we need students who are agile [and] students who think critically as well,” she advised.

Dr. Munro-Knight explained a concept within political science which speaks about a new economy, which is framed by technology and knowledge. According to her, this economy will depend on what is built through education and students’ ability to actively engage in learning.

“That knowledge economy means that we can be successful… We can compete through the generation of ideas and through innovation. It, therefore, opens up a space, again to Small Island Developing States that have not been traditionally competitive in the global economy, based on goods and services that we now have an opportunity to be able to innovate our way to success,” she underlined.

The Senator challenged the students to widen their frame of thinking about what is valuable, what jobs are the best and will make the most money, and what would allow them to make a footprint, as they make their way within the world and Barbados takes a place on the global stage. (PR/GIS)

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet”. These famous words by well-known Greek philosopher Aristotle, were echoed by Shaunette Small, Valedictorian of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College (ETTC) 2025 graduating class. 

The graduation ceremony, which was held last Saturday evening at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, saw the commencement of over 150 graduates.

“A few years ago, we stood at the threshold of our educational journey, blissfully unaware of what lay ahead.  Some of us were anxious, some were even scared of the unknown, while others were excited to be in the classroom again, as students,” she shared.

Ms. Small cited a quote by American Librarian John Cotton Dana, who said: “who dares to teach must never cease to learn”, stating that this is confirmation that “we were in the right place at the right time, at the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College”.

She added: “For us to continue being learners to leaders in education, as expressed in our theme, it is pivotal for us to strive for excellence in all we do.”

The Valedictorian provided an illustration to mirror the journey of the graduating class using the acronym S-T-R-I-V-E: Success; Trials; Reflection; Integrate; Vision and Effective.

Ms. Small expressed gratitude to the Principal and Deputy Principal of the ETTC and also to the administrative staff, the ancillary staff, and custodians, families and friends.

“Thank you for always being readily available to assist us in any capacity and for making the campus environment conducive for learning. To our families, friends, and well-wishers, we thank you for your love and support. Without you, this journey would not be possible.”

The ETTC’s outstanding student took the opportunity to address and encourage her colleagues, saying: “Fellow graduands, as we have reached the end of this journey, may we endeavour to let our light shine brightly where there is darkness. Believe in yourself, be strong, never give up, no matter what the circumstances. You are [champions] and will overcome the dreaded obstacles. Be your best and don’t ever, ever give up…We are learners to leaders in education”.  (PR/GIS)

The Erdiston Teachers’ Training College has announced its top students preceding this year’s graduation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

The seven top students (five females and two males) are as follows:

• Shaunette Small – Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership
• Richelle Vaughan – Diploma in Education (Primary)
• Krystal Byer – Technical and Vocational Teachers’ Training Programme (Adult Education)
• Shamel Edwards – Bachelors in Education (Primary)
• Nicole Lynch – Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education
• Keandre Doughty – In-Service Certificate (Physical Education)
• Rollinson Wiggins -Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Secondary)

In an interview, valedictorian Shaunette Small shared that she pursued her Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership after being promoted as a Senior Teacher at the Daryll Jordan Secondary school.  

“I believe it was necessary for me to get some of the skills, especially communication and interacting with staff, in order to benefit the students. So, my main goal was that the course would help me to get along with the teachers and to show me how to work with them.

“I’m a hard worker. I believe in lifelong learning. I love to study. Before coming to Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, I heard a lot of teachers in the past speak about their experiences and how they would not come back, and I am going to tell you some of those teachers were sitting at my table in the programme, and they have all changed their minds.”

The valedictorian shared that the tutors were caring and supportive and taught her and her colleagues to realise that all teachers in the classroom are leaders, not only the principal. She added: “As long as you stand before children and you want to make a change, you are a leader.”

Ms. Small continued: “As we move on with our transformation in education, it is important that whatever we do in the classroom, we sit back, and we look. How are the children learning? Are we really making a difference in the classroom?

“All children can learn, and they are there to learn, and it is our duty as educators to ensure that whatever we do is for the benefit of the children and not for ourselves.”

She explained that children who are treated with love, and shown support, will succeed.  “In every child…in each child, there is something positive, but you have to search for it.  I endorse everything that the education system stands for. There is need for a transformation, but it’s up to us, the leaders, the teachers and the stakeholders to ensure that our children, at the end of the day, will benefit and succeed as much as they can. 

“We are preparing children to be global leaders wherever they go, and it is up to us to ensure that at the end of the day we can sit back and say, I am pleased; I am proud of what I did because those will be the legacy that we have for the future,” Ms. Small stated. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Outstanding students of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College’s 2025 graduating class (from left to right)Valedictorian Shaunette Small; Shamel Edwards; Richelle Vaughan; Krystal Byer; Keandre Doughty; and Rollinson Wiggins. Missing is Nicole Lynch.