Education Ministry Receives Hydration Stations Ahead Of New School Year

The donation of 13 hydration systems to secondary schools across the island is being hailed as a strategic move in supporting best practices being promoted by the Ministry of Educational Transformation.

This view was expressed by Minister of Educational Transformation, Chad Blackman, who commended those he described as the Ministry’s partners in Education – the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre for the Caribbean, Hydrate Barbados and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – for their investment of the hydration systems. 

“We mark another major [turn] to the transformation of our country’s education system. Health continues to be a major plan in any country…, therefore looking at promoting healthier lifestyles in schools is of major importance to the Ministry,” Mr. Blackman stated.

During a press conference on Wednesday in the MRD’s Conference Room at the Ministry’s Elsie Payne complex, the Minister said the donation was commendable and significant, describing it as a gesture which encouraged, and supported the commitment to a more eco-friendly environment.

“The Government continues to spend significant resources throughout the years…. Certainly, this administration has made it clear that the future of our nation depends on education being well resourced.

“But in addition to that, notwithstanding our commitment to educational transformation and development, the entire ecosystem that is Barbados must also play its part in helping us to further enhance prospects for young people and those who work in the system,” he said.

Mr. Blackman also encouraged other entities within the private sector to partner with the Ministry of Educational Transformation to ensure that every child in Barbados experiences a first-class, world-class education system.

He disclosed that Government is also working on the redesigning of physical education programmes in schools, to make them ‘fit for purpose’, where there is a transformation of the school curriculum, which lends to a health and wellness component.

“The health component of physical education is significant. Transformation, therefore, of any country is ongoing.  Making sure that we have a comprehensive roadmap where … our children are healthy; they have access to quality tuition, [and] organising infrastructure that is fit for purpose….”

General Manager of the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre for the Caribbean, Marsha White-Hughes, said the installation of water filling stations and the distribution of water bottles to schools was the amplification of a movement that started some time ago.

“[This is a movement] rooted in health, prevention and empowerment… This is more than providing cool, clean water; this is about changing habits, shaping choices, and ultimately, changing lives,” Mrs. White-Hughes stated.

She explained that in Barbados, there are increasing rates of Type Two diabetes among the younger population, and suggested that one of the most significant contributors to this trend is the high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

“When children are regularly consuming sodas, juices, and other sweetened drinks, we are effectively training their palates to create sugar. But here’s the good news, we can intervene; we can teach new habits; we can provide healthy alternatives, and we can make water, not sugary drinks, the default choice.”

The General Manager also revealed future initiatives, including interactive sessions, school-based materials and engaging campaigns, aimed at helping students make the connection between what they drink and how they feel, how they learn, and how they live.

In his remarks, representative for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder William Beaman, said the initiative creates an opportunity to provide clean, cold water to help hydrate the youth and get them on the path of good health and habits. 

“We in the church are very, very keen on trying to support all these types of efforts for helping people; we are firm believers in good, solid body health,” Elder Beaman stressed. (PR/GIS)

CAPTION: Minister of Educational Transformation, Chad Blackman, described the donation of 13 hydration systems to secondary schools as gesture which encouraged, and supported the commitment to a more eco-friendly environment.