Education

Financial Literacy Programme Already Bearing Fruit

The pilot phase of the Ministry of Energy and Business’ National Financial Literacy Programme is already bearing fruit, with some students reporting that they have improved their spending habits, and at least one has created a small business.

Forty-three students of the technical and vocational group of the Barbados YouthAdvance Corps recently completed the pilot phase of the programme, described as a critical tool in Government’s efforts to empower Barbadians in the management of their money, so that they can generate wealth.

Recruit Lévonté Williams praised the programme, saying it taught him a great deal and even motivated him to create a small business.

“As a result of this programme, I have been able to save and create my own business. I had plans to start another small business, but I got an idea from Ms. Armstrong (the facilitator), she doesn’t even know, and I went from there,” Lévonté stated.

Initially, he said, he was unsure about how much he would learn from the programme since he was familiar with some aspects of the topics being taught. However, he is elated that he did not allow his first thoughts to get the better of him, and he has thoroughly enjoyed and benefitted from the informative sessions.

“The programme was a good one, and I would encourage persons to be a part of it, especially the young generation. From the information shared with us, we are in a better position to spend our money wisely and also make wise investments,” he surmised.

“The programme was a good one, and I would encourage persons to be a part of it, especially the young generation. From the information shared with us, we are in a better position to spend our money wisely and also make wise investments.”Lévonté Williams speaking on the National Financial Literacy Programme

His classmate, recruit Kymara Trotman, said she learned a lot about budgeting and saving; focusing on one’s needs and not wants; and making investments, so she has the option of retiring by a certain age.

Kymara added that she has been practising what she learned, especially since, in the past, she sometimes leaned towards purchasing items she wanted and not needed. “I like to eat, so I thought about what the facilitator said and the money that I would spend on food. I now save and I have a ‘tot’ that I put the money in….

“I am not sure how much I have saved but I know I saved a lot…. I would spend a lot of unnecessary money…when I go to the supermarket…. I would see something on the shelf and say, ‘I want it’, and put it in the basket, knowing that it is not in my budget…. Then, I would have to put out money from somewhere else and then I would have to put back the money,” she stated.

The young recruit thoroughly enjoyed the programme, which was taught to her and her peers twice a week. She lauded the facilitator, whom she described as “very professional and understanding” and methodical in her teaching.

*Lead Facilitator, Marcia Armstrong, discussing financial literacy issues with recruits from the Barbados YouthAdvance Corps recently.*

Kymara is encouraging young people to save some of their money, no matter how little. “There is no limit to saving; a dollar or two dollars a day – all is saving. If you get $20 a day, you can put down $2 daily, and that will add up and grow,” she suggested.

To her peers who undertook the programme, she encouraged them to share the valuable information learned with their families, in an effort to strengthen their budgeting skills and make wise decisions when spending money. She also put forward the view that the Financial Literacy Programme is needed in secondary and primary schools.

Second Form students in seven secondary schools and those in Class Two at six primary schools are being taught about financial literacy, in partnership with Affinity Plus Credit Union Limited.

Programme Officer for Career Development at the Barbados YouthAdvance Corps, Fabian Sargeant, explained that from January to August, the organisation offers “bridging programmes”, where young people are exposed to various areas to strengthen their skill sets as they prepare for the world of work.

Mr. Sargeant underscored the importance of the financial literacy training, saying it was timely as the recruits receive a stipend and would therefore learn about managing their money. He proffered the view that it was necessary to reinforce these concepts along the students’ career development path.

“There is no limit to saving; a dollar or two dollars a day – all is saving. If you get $20 a day, you can put down $2 daily, and that will add up and grow.”Kymara Trotman

He continued: “It is really about helping them to understand how to plan, the best ways to spend, and how to grow their money. A lot of them at this stage believe in spending…. These young people…have not been really exposed to money and the growth of money in a real productive way. These particular programmes are extremely important to fill that void…regarding understanding finances, and everything associated with it….

“If they don’t know how to manage [money], if they don’t understand the whole concept of growing money and business, then chances are they will fail at whatever they are doing, even in their personal lives, because then they will not be able to afford the very basics that they would need.…”

Mr. Sargeant sees the Financial Literacy Programme as a potential “staple” in the Barbados YouthAdvance Corps’ technical and vocational programme.

Facilitator Marcia Armstrong said the young people are enjoying the programme and practising what they have been taught. She added that there has been a “high level of engagement” at the various locations, with the children utilising the concepts and terms learned.

*Financial literacy matters on their minds: From left to right (front row) are Arrianne John, Jaheem Kellman and Donte Headley. In the back row are Deshawn Blackman and Sergio Parris.*

“This initiative is just awesome overall. We planted the seeds with this programme, and I honestly believe that when I look back two or three years from today, I expect to see businesses being birthed from this experience…. Some of those children know exactly where they want to go….

“I’m so happy that Barbados launched this initiative. I believe that it will pay back a return on the investment time and time again…. I honestly believe that they (young people) will be in a position to take Barbados into the next dimension, in regard to what they can accomplish and at an earlier age as well,” Ms. Armstrong suggested.

She wants each student who undertook the training to become an ambassador for the programme and share their knowledge with their family.

“I’m so happy that Barbados launched this initiative. I believe that it will pay back a return on the investment time and time again…. I honestly believe that they (young people) will be in a position to take Barbados into the next dimension, in regard to what they can accomplish and at an earlier age as well.”National Financial Literacy Programme Facilitator, Marcia Armstrong

Programme Coordinator for the schools and online component of the National Financial Literacy Programme, Corey Worrell, said the principals and teachers have been very supportive of the programme, and the latter have even given suggestions on how its delivery could be improved.

Mr. Worrell noted that some aspects of the programme will be adjusted as it continues to be rolled out. He pointed out that the Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, has given the team the mandate to scale up the National Financial Literacy Programme. (PR/GIS)

Education

Erdiston Recognises Top Students Ahead Of Graduation Ceremony

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.

Education

National Library Service’s (NLS) “Radio Bimshire: Voice of the National Library Service Barbados” Launched

Barbadians here and in the diaspora now have the opportunity to hear narrated stories about this island’s history and ‘characters’ through the National Library Service’s (NLS) “Radio Bimshire: Voice of the National Library Service Barbados” audio online platform.

The platform was launched today at the NLS’ Fairchild Street headquarters.

Director of the NLS, Jennifer Yarde, and its former Deputy Director, Evonda Callender, encouraged all Barbadians to listen to the stories and expressed how happy they were to have reached such a significant milestone in preserving and sharing Barbados’ oral history.

Ms. Yarde stated that “Radio Bimshire emerges as a bold new chapter” in the NLS’ offerings, where persons can listen to the lived experiences of people from every parish and walk of life. She said the audio platform, https://bit.ly/radiobimshire, offers free online access to these stories while promoting digital literacy and inclusivity.

“It is more than a streaming platform; it is a cultural sunscape built to honour, preserve, and share the spoken word legacy of Barbados, from the market vendors in Bridgetown to the elders recalling village life, from the rhythms of the tuk band to the recollections of the historic moments of the 1937 disturbances. Radio Bimshire turns these stories into a living archive. Now, through streaming and podcast, people from all over the world can connect with Barbados’ culture anytime, anywhere,” the Director said.

She also stressed that sharing Barbados’ oral history is important in understanding its heritage and identity.

“It is through our oral history that we hear not just about great national events, but about how ordinary people lived, worked, celebrated, mourned, and made meaning of their world. It could be a formal interview, or it could be a story passed down from generations, from folklore to family stories. Oral history is how we always make sense of our world, or pass on what matters most,” Ms. Yarde stated.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Callender explained how the information was gathered for “Radio Bimshire”.

She disclosed that in 1986, while at the NLS conducting interviews for its oral history project, she felt it was important to have first-hand recorded accounts from persons on subject matters of historical significance, including the 1937 Riots, the Constitutional Conference, the train service to Belleplaine, St. Andrew, and the process of turning flour bags into clothing.

Ms. Callender said: “We went out to collect and preserve the history of Barbados, … the real history of Barbados, without sugarcoating or hiding important details, in all its formats, whether it was popular or unpopular, it needed to be said.”

The former Deputy Director stated that the NLS should continue to carry out its mandate of collecting, preserving, retrieving, and providing in-depth information in all formats to enrich, empower, and inform the public, especially on the history of Barbados.

“We need to collect it. We need to gather it; it’s going to be controversial, … but we are the library. We have no political alliance to no one. What you’re supposed to do is collect the history of the country in every format, both print and non-print, and make it available to all the generations to come. The library’s mission is to collect the heritage of Barbados in all formats, whether it’s from a rum shop, whether it is a brothel, wherever it is you go, collect it,” Ms. Callender stressed.

People who visit the website will hear recordings such as Dumplings in De Stew – One For The Road, Ossie Moore stories, and others written by Jeanette Layne-Clarke and Addington Forde, and narrated by Alfred Pragnell, Marvo Manning, Tony Thompson, and others.

The NLS aims to upload more content soon to the site on the History of Barbados, including the 1937 Riots, events during the 1940s and 1950s, the Birth of Adventism in Barbados, and more, as told by the late historians Dr. Karl Watson, Trevor Marshall, and Professor Pedro Welch. (PR/GIS)

Caption: West Terrace Primary student, Yuri Nicholls, performed the “ceremonial turning on” of Radio Bimshire at the National Library Service while “Grandma” looks on

Education

SCHOOL AMALGAMATIONS & ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES BEING CONSIDERED

A continued decline in the number of children entering Barbados’ schools is poised to transform the island’s education sector, with government officials actively reviewing how resources are allocated and considering school amalgamations and repurposing.

Minister of Training and Tertiary Education Sandra Husbands confirmed on Tuesday that the shrinking student population will inevitably prompt adjustments to the educational framework. Her comments came following this year’s sitting of the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (11-plus) by 2,981 students – a slight decrease from 3,011 in 2024.

“Yes, we have a decline in our population overall,” Husbands told reporters during a site visit to Frederick Smith Secondary School in Trents, St James. “And we are beginning to see it turn up in the registration of births, and the number of children therefore, will be reduced coming through the school system.”

With enrolment figures projected to continue falling, the Ministry of Education has begun reviewing how best to allocate resources in response. According to the minister, ministry officials have already drafted plans for consolidating and repurposing schools that are underutilised.

Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw reinforced this, revealing that an analysis has been completed to identify schools suitable for amalgamation.

“We’ve completed an analysis of the schools that should be amalgamated. That paper is right now before the minister of education for him to provide the feedback, but we looked at a number of criteria to determine which schools should be considered for repurposing,” Archer-Bradshaw explained. “The criteria involves school roll. We look to see whether there were emerging housing areas within the school location, [and] we also look to see whether the bus route was one that made sense.

“There are a number of factors that we considered in terms of proposing which schools should be reconsidered for repurposing and refurbishing. I can’t say at this stage [which schools] – I need to get the feedback from the minister and of course, the Cabinet.”