Every year around this time, children from the age of at least 10, or more, have extra lessons and prepare for the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Exam, also known as the 11 Plus test.

One of the schools in St Michael is paid special attention by their parliamentary representative – Kirk Humphrey, MP for St Michael South, who arranges for school supplies for the Class 4 students.

The 11 Plus exam is seen by many as a benchmark for their children to access specific schools, however the MP (who is from the Pine originally) told the youngsters what they do matters and not where they go. 

Mr Humphrey observed – “You know it doesn’t really matter what school you go to, what matters is that you’ve done your very best, you know that? There are some people who passed for some think of as Good Schools and nothing happens. While others go to schools not thought to be the best and they have done the most for Barbados. It just depends on what you decide to do once you get there, there are no good schools nor bad schools.”

He urged them to relax the night before, and when Tuesday comes around to read the paper thoroughly and make sure all the answers are completed.

The equipment was shared out to the students not only by the MP but also in part by Roshanna Trim, a member of Mr Humphrey’s Constituency Executive, the care packs were clipboards, pencil cases, as well as some pens and pencils with a sharpener. 

In 1959, Barbados saw the introduction of the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE), also known as the 11 Plus. This standardized test was implemented to allocate placements in secondary schools across the island and marked a significant development in the educational system. 

A total of 3,011 students will be writing this year’s Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE) on Tuesday, May 7. 

This figure comprises 1,493 males and 1,518 females, who are registered to write the exam at 21 secondary schools across the island.

According to the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, 18 students have requested permission to sit the BSSEE at an early age (10 years old), while 100 students requested a deferral. There are 48 requests for exemption.

The BSSEE, also known as the Common Entrance Exam or 11-plus Exam, will also be written by 136 non-nationals. The Ministry has also received 183 special requests, ranging from scribes to large print.              

Parents and guardians are reminded that all government secondary schools will be closed on this date. (PR/GIS)

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Member Lines has announced that Barbados is the first Caribbean country to receive its Owen Arthur Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship, named in honour of former Prime Minister of Barbados, the late Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, is an initiative of the FCCA’s Foundation charitable arm. It is intended to support the educational efforts of future generations throughout the Caribbean. 

The scholarship also seeks to honour the memory of Professor Arthur, whose work, according to Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, played an instrumental role in developing partnerships that fostered the growth of the cruise industry as it is known today.

The US $25,000 Owen Arthur Scholarship Fund will be awarded annually in different destinations to either an educational institution or a non-profit organisation. Each year, the winning country will be announced at the FCCA’s Foundation Dinner, at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in April.

Persons interested in applying for the scholarship fund should email Belle Holder at belleh@visitbarbados.org.  The forms for the grant will also be sent to tertiary institutions of learning.

Minister Gooding-Edghill said he was honoured and excited that Barbados was the first recipient of the “groundbreaking” scholarship.

“I am pleased to announce that today marks the official launch of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Foundation’s inaugural Owen Arthur Scholarship. I offer heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association on behalf of the Government, and certainly the Arthur family and the Ministry of Tourism.

“The introduction of the FCCA inaugural Owen Arthur Scholarship is therefore, in great measure, an extension of the close relationships cultivated between Barbados and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association. The funding available through this scholarship presents a significant opportunity for deserving entities to receive the necessary financial aid to continue the groundwork previously started,” he stated.

Mr. Gooding-Edghill added that Barbados looks forward to continuing working with the FCCA, as the island seeks to be the leading southern Caribbean porting destination.

FCCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Michele Paige, who created the scholarship, said: “The Owen Arthur Scholarship Fund was created to honour a man who created the ability for the FCCA Member Lines and the Caribbean to come together to communicate. He had the vision to be able to have us work together and that is why we are so proud to have this scholarship in his name.”

Also present for the FCCA’s Foundation’s Owen Arthur Scholarship launch was the wife of the late Professor Arthur, Julie Arthur; his daughter, Sabina Worrell-Wood; and other BTMI officials. 

Mrs. Arthur said: “As a family, we are truly humbled by this. The FCCA’s vision to honour my late husband is commendable. They would have recognised his work and his contribution towards the cruise industry, and we are truly grateful for that. And it is our desire, as a family, to keep his legacy alive wherever possible.” (PR/GIS)