The Ellerslie School is one of the beneficiaries of the Model Safe School Programme (MSSP). 

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, said the MSSP is a clear indication of the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training’s (METVT) commitment to The Ellerslie School. 

She made these remarks at the presentation of lighting and electrical supplies, which took place in the auditorium of the school, on Tuesday.

“This programme exemplifies our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and visitors,” Dr. Archer-Bradshaw stated.

The MSSP is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors within a school environment, and measures emergency preparedness, crisis response plans, security protocols, and initiatives to promote a positive school climate.

The MSSP Costed Action Plan Barbados is a collaboration between the METVT and the Coordinating Unit of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and is funded by the Norway Project

The Chief Education Officer told the students and staff that they were specially chosen and added that the Ministry recognised the importance of creating a safe and conducive learning environment, which identified the need for enhancing the lighting infrastructure at the school.

“Through collaboration with CDEMA, we successfully procured essential electrical and lighting fixtures. These fixtures include LED lights, weatherproof fixtures, and red light fixtures, which will be installed across classrooms, bathrooms, staff rooms, corridors, and the stairwells of the Junior Block,” she said.

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw stated that the benefits of the initiative extend beyond lighting and will also significantly reduce electricity costs and decrease the carbon footprint, while aligning with environmental stewardship goals.

“The enhanced lighting will also create a more comfortable environment for you, and a safer environment while learning and working, contributing to your overall well-being and productivity for everyone at this school.             

“This initiative is not just for the present, but it’s an investment in the future. It will benefit you as current students, but it will also benefit those who join the school community in years to come,” she emphasized. (PR)

CAPTION: Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw (centre) receives the lighting and electrical equipment from Deputy Executive Director of CDEMA, Kester Craig, while Principal of The Ellerslie School Andrea Baptiste, looks on

Another 60 Barbadian students will get to study with the prestigious Delaware State University (DSU) through its ongoing partnership with the Barbados Community College (BCC). That’s because the programme is preparing to take in its second cohort of students this August.

Successful applicants will be able to earn a DSU-accredited bachelor’s degree in either Mathematics or Agricultural Science in four years or less of full-time study. Additionally, the programme will be funded and delivered at no cost to students, except for the minimal registration fees at the BCC.

Based on CSEC results, the students will be selected from among the graduating fifth-formers of public and private secondary schools across the island. For those awaiting results, the initial assessment will be based on their 4th and 5th form transcripts.  

Current DSU student, 23-year-old Teana Hurley, has described her experience in the programme as “transformative and invaluable”. Ms. Hurley, who is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Agriculture, said, “I have had the privilege of forming meaningful friendships and connections with fellow students, both from Barbados and beyond, through my involvement in the programme. Interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds, such as Jamaica, has enriched my understanding of different cultures and perspectives”.

Regarding what she has learned thus far, the aspiring Minister of Agriculture has identified mastering time management, cultivating diligence, patience, and leadership as new life-enhancing skills. 

She noted that she has been equipped to navigate challenges with resilience and determination and has emerged stronger and more capable with each obstacle overcome.

The BCC-DSU programme is delivered in a hybrid format, physically at BCC and online.

Entry Requirements

Who can apply?

• Students up to the age of 35.
• Current applicants for the BCC’s various science programmes
• Current applicants for the lower 6th year
• Students who have already completed the 1st year of the associate degree
• Students who have already completed the lower 6th year 
• Students at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology
• Interested persons from Agricultural organizations

For applicants possessing CSEC results

For Mathematics: A minimum requirement of five (5) CSEC subjects or the equivalent, including Mathematics and English.

For the Agriculture Programme: A minimum of four (4) CSEC subjects or the equivalent, including Mathematics, English, and a science subject.

How to apply

Click on the link https://forms.gle/amyopaWdy3DqbXnh6. Applications close on July 8th, 2024. (PR/GIS)

Private schools captured the top spots in this year’s Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

Finn Graham of St. Winifred’s School and Aryanna Bascombe of Providence Elementary School are the top performers in the BSSEE, also known as the Common Entrance Exam and the 11-Plus. 

Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METVT), Kay McConney, made the announcement earlier today, during a press conference in the Media Resource Department at her Ministry.

The top boy is headed off to Queen’s College, while the top girl will enter Harrison College in September.

Finn and Aryanna received identical marks, gaining 99 in Mathematics, 96 in English, and an A in Composition, for an overall score of 246.81.

Leading up to the announcement, Minister McConney commended all those students who wrote the BSSEE this year, which saw students of 68 public primary schools and 26 private primary schools sitting the exam. She added there was a noted decrease in the number of students who took the Common Entrance Exam in 2023 when compared to this year;  252 more students wrote the exam this year.

The Education Minister further stated that there was also a decrease in the number of requests for special support during the examination, from 180 requests last year to 138 requests this year. She attributed the decline in requests for special support to the Ministry increasing the frequency and availability of appropriate testing for students, and continuing diagnostic testing for hearing and sight, which allowed it to identify challenges and provide early intervention for the students.

Ms. McConney said there was an increase in the number of students allocated to public secondary schools with 96.1 per cent sitting this year, compared to 95.4 per cent in 2023.  Mathematics scores ranged from zero to 100, with five children scoring zero and nine students gaining 100 per cent, while 35 gained 100 per cent in 2023.  However, in the English examination, the scores ranged from zero to 98, with one student scoring zero.

The Minister explained that the statistics overall indicate that there was no significant difference in the performance of students between 2023 and 2024.  While she expressed concern at this finding, she said an in-depth analysis of the examination results was conducted by the Ministry. She stated consideration must be given to how best to optimise the potential of each student by going back to the basics of how children relate to what they are learning.

Ms. McConney also announced that the METVT will offer a free summer school programme to provide additional support to those students, primarily in Class Four, who have shown deficiencies in basic numeracy and literacy skills.

Meanwhile, when asked about the allocation of schools for the top students, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, indicated that this year, the focus was on highlighting all students, commending them for their hard work throughout the last year and their performance in the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination. 

The Education Chief continued: “We wanted to highlight the fact also that the Ministry of Education is committed to providing an environment at every school that will be conducive to their learning and development, and this is the reason that we did not highlight particular schools this year.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Kay McConney, and Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw at a press conference to announce this year’s Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination results.