A look at learning deficits in early stages

The need for transformative changes in the region’s education systems, particularly to address learning deficits at early stages, was a key focus during the UNICEF Eastern Caribbean and Barbados National Students’ Council (BNSC) #ActivateTalk panel discussion. Held on recently at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, the event centered on the theme: “Navigating the Challenges of Higher Education in the Eastern Caribbean and the Importance of Regional Integration as a Viable Solution.”

Jean-Benoit Mahnes, UNICEF Representative (ad interim) for the Eastern Caribbean, highlighted troubling statistics about secondary education outcomes, noting that only a third of students across the region achieve the qualifications needed to advance academically.

“In the region, not just Barbados, too few students are achieving good enough results at the secondary level,” Mahnes said. “Additionally, the parameters of success can be too narrowly defined—it’s not only about becoming a lawyer or doctor. Society needs people with diverse skills and aspirations. We know that we need to do better, and we know we can do better.”

Mahnes also underscored the importance of democratising access to educational technology and fostering regional integration in education while maintaining respect for individual cultural identities.

“Can we access technology in a way that can be democratised? What role does educational integration and standardisation play? We want all children to have the same chance, whether they’re in Barbados, St. Lucia, or Grenada, while avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. Culture, perspective, and environment must inform education systems,” he said.

Canteen concessionaires are an integral part of the growth and development of this country’s children.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, expressed this view recently at a special ceremony held in honour of canteen concessionaires at the Savannah Hotel, Hastings, Christ Church.

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw said canteen concessionaires are necessary to the overall well-being of the nation’s children.

“By aligning your offerings with the guidelines of the policy, you help to create an environment where students can thrive, physically, mentally, and behaviourally. It means that what you do goes beyond making a dollar; you are making an impact, a positive impact, on our children’s lives.

“It is against this backdrop that I encourage you to continue innovating and exploring new ways to make healthy foods, not making them just accessible, but also making them enjoyable for our students. Remember, the choices that you make today will have a lasting impact on our children and ultimately our community, in line with our shared commitment to this cause,” she urged.

The Chief Education Officer acknowledged the role that canteen concessionaires play in supporting the Barbados School Nutrition Policy.  

She stated that the commitment demonstrated in providing nutritious and balanced meals in schools to support the health and well-being of children has been nothing short of commendable.

“We all know that change is not easy. Nevertheless, you are willing to put your hands to the plough for the benefit of our children,” she told the concessionaires.

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw also commended the Ministry of Health and Wellness for being the driving force behind the implementation of the Barbados School Nutrition Policy.

“They were the ones who spearheaded the development of the Barbados School Nutrition Policy…. I know my colleague, CMO Kenneth George, played a role in that as well, and this policy focuses on creating a healthy food and physical activity environment for our students so that every single student can reach his or her full potential.”

She stated that the policy recognises that healthy nutrition is fundamental to academic success and overall physical health, but noted, however, that the effectiveness of the policy relies heavily on the collaboration and the support of all stakeholders and all canteen concessionaires, as the providers of meals and snacks in the schools across the island.

Addressing the concessionaires, she told them that they have the “unique opportunity to influence the dietary choices of our children”.

“Every day, some of our students look to you for lunches in the canteen and the options that you provide can either support their health or well-being or be detrimental to their health and well-being. By offering healthy, appealing, and diverse food choices, you can contribute significantly to fostering an environment where students develop good eating habits and where good nutrition is the norm and not the exception,” she stressed.

The Education Chief also said that they are teachers or educators in their own right and that they have the prime opportunity to introduce students to a variety of healthy foods, encourage them to make better food choices later on in life and instill habits that will carry them into adulthood.

“When students are provided with these nutritious meals, they’re more likely to be settled, they’re more likely to be focused and ready to engage with their schoolwork, and they will have the energy to participate in physical activities,” she told the concessionaires.

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw emphasised that the continued support of students as the Barbados School Nutrition Policy is implemented helps to combat depressing health issues that young people face, such as obesity and related illnesses.

The Education Chief also lauded the support of the Pan American Health Organization, which has offered a prestigious reward to the top three primary schools that can demonstrate their efforts in establishing a safe food and physical activity environment for their students by the end of this term. 

These schools are required to submit a report detailing the initiatives that they have implemented to foster this healthy food and physical activity environment, while the Barbados School Nutrition Policy and Prevention Committee, will provide the specific criteria for evaluation to each primary school. 

“I ask all of you here to make a commitment. Let us continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our students. As I always say in my borrowed quote, if we don’t take care of our children’s wellness, we are going to have to take care of their illness. Let us work together to take care of our children’s wellness,” Dr. Ramona Bradshaw urged. (PR/GIS)

SHIRLEY CHISHOLM PROJECT an initiative launched by the Division of Culture in Primary Schools

The Division of Culture, Prime Minister’s Office has launched a series of educational initiatives for primary schools as part of the Shirley Chisholm Project, ‘Celebrating Shirley – 100 Years’, a Government-led programme to honour and celebrate the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm.

During the official launch at the Shirley Chisholm Primary School in Vauxhall, Christ Church on Tuesday, Rodney Grant, Chairman of the Shirley Chisholm Project,  explained that the activities include Primary Schools Heritage Tours and Visits and a National Library Service (NLS) Primary Schools Art Competition.

He said, “As we are all aware, Chisholm spent part of her early childhood here in Barbados and went on to make history as the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress and to run for a Presidential nomination in that country. 

“She was a true champion for civil rights, gender equality and social justice and through these activities we aim to educate young people about her story and her remarkable achievements but, more importantly, we want to inspire them to pursue greatness.”

Grant explained that the NLS Primary School Art Competition is open to students from all primary schools on the island with exciting prizes for the winners, their art teachers and schools. 

The competition’s theme is ‘The Importance of Education to Character Development’ and students can submit their entries, of drawings or paintings depicting their interpretation of Chisholm’s primary school education in Barbados, via email to honourchisholm@nls.gov.bb no later than Independence Day, Saturday, November 30.

Giving details on the Heritage Tours and Visits organised by the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Grant explained that students will participate in guided tours around Christ Church, highlighting locations of significance to Chisholm’s early life in Barbados.

“We will also visit various primary schools for interactive sessions and during both the tours and visits, students will receive information on Chisholm’s amazing career. Naturally we are starting with the students here at the Shirley Chisholm Primary and then we move onto the Christ Church Girls Primary, Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary and St. Silas Primary, among others,” he added.

Dr. Sheron Johnson, Senior Cultural Policy and Research Officer at the Division of Culture noted that the tours and visits aim to foster appreciation and understanding of Barbados’ rich cultural heritage.

She said, “By immersing young Barbadians in the historical significance of their surroundings, this initiative, which also supports the Ministry of Education’s Social Studies curriculum, also seeks to inspire a sense of pride and responsibility toward preserving Barbados’ history.”

Principal of the Shirley Chisholm Primary School, Donna Franklin, praised the initiative, stating, “Our students have been exposed to the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm through storytelling, the sharing of materials and their Social Studies lessons. We welcome the tour because we believe it will enhance those learning experiences. 

“As a school, we teach our students that, just like Shirley Chisholm, they too can be catalysts for change and we embrace opportunities to teach them that they can become anything that they want to be. They can dream big, they can think big and they can achieve anything. Not just here, but globally as well.”

Barbados’ Independence Day, November 30, 2024 marks the centenary anniversary of Chisholm’s birth. (PR)