Education

Project-Based Learning Launched in Summer Programme

Project-based learning (PBL) was heralded as a success, on Thursday, August 08, 2024.

This, as the dozens of secondary school-bound students who took part in the Ministry of Education’s Summer School programme, were acknowledged as the first group in the island to use this learning approach to strengthen their thinking and problem-solving skills.

It also sought to broaden their knowledge base in preparation for secondary school in September 2024.

St. Mary’s Primary School hosted the proud graduates of the programme, along with their parents, guardians and Ministry officials.

In her official address, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, revealed that this group was the first to benefit from the project-based learning approach, one of the proposed teaching and learning components under Education Transformation. PBL is a method of teaching which involves students working together to design and construct hands-on solutions to real-life problems.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, viewing the exhibits of students who took part in the Ministry of Education’s Summer School programme

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw said: “For this year’s PBL implementation, the problem identified was that students struggle with Reading and Mathematics because they are not exposed enough to using concrete materials during instruction and often their learning styles are not considered. The literature on teaching and learning in Mathematics and Reading is replete with research evidence that suggests that manipulatives help to develop students’ conceptual understanding and that ‘gamification’, or the use of games serves to motivate students, reinforce concepts and provide engagement and enjoyment.”

The overall theme for Summer School My Learning, My Future! This is Me!, and the goal was to have students create a Tool Kit, containing manipulatives and games, otherwise called ‘power tools’, which reflect their way of learning. This would assist the student in developing and retaining the Reading and Mathematics concepts taught within the few weeks spent in the programme.

The Chief Education Officer assured the audience that the Ministry would continue “to invest in the academic, social and emotional well-being of these students to ensure that each Barbadian student is assured a bright future, and that no child is left behind”.

The summer programme, which is offered annually by the Ministry of Education provides the opportunity for deferred Class 3 and 4 students from the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE) to be immersed in a Remedial Mathematics and Reading Intervention programme which seeks to:

Improve their performance, skills, and understanding in Reading and specific areas in Mathematics.
Develop enhanced study skills, self-confidence, and strategies for appropriate social interaction, through the necessary social support services provided.
Promote physical well-being, through Physical Education and hone artistic skills, through Music and Dance.

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw made a special appeal to students to apply what they learned over the summer and continue the learning process, while parents were assured that regular consultation would take place as our education system continues to transform to a more student-centred one.

The day’s proceedings concluded with a dynamic performance by students who presented “This Is Me”, from the film “The Greatest Showman”, under the musical direction of Israel J. Allen, who lauded the natural talents of the choir. There was also an exhibition of the collaborative work accomplished by the students.

While PBL is yet to be executed in its fullness, the Ministry is very encouraged by the early positive signs displayed through the Summer School programme. (PR/GIS)

Education

NCF CELEBRATES ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SCHOOLS LANDSHIP PROGRAMME

The National Cultural Foundation joined with its competition sponsor the Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union Ltd to celebrate the achievements of the inaugural year of its Schools Landship Programme, at the Awards Presentation on Sunday, July 14^th at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre.

The programme which was rolled out over the last 15 months saw training of over 300 children at 12 schools across the island in Landship performance skills and cultural mores. Chief Cultural Officer of the NCF, Ms. Andrea Wells reminded attendees that the National Cultural Foundation, working in close collaboration with the Barbados Landship Association, has undertaken the task of reviving the cultural phenomenon that is LANDSHIP, a uniquely Barbadian cultural movement which is currently celebrating its 161^st year.

AWARDS

The Awards event featured clips of performances across many of the participating schools and presented top students and teachers with leadership awards, along with certificates and cash prizes recognising excellence in performances in Maypole, Maneuvers, Uniforms and Insignia and Financial Literacy.

While all student participants were not able to be present, each school was adequately represented by its student leaders and their cheering teachers and parents.

In her presentation, Mrs. Gail Niles, the Director of Marketing of the BPWCCUL indicated the company’s commitment to encouraging and celebrating achievement in youth especially in the area of financial literacy. She expressed fascination of the similar histories of that aspect of both the Landship and Credit Union movements and indicated the company’s willingness to work more closely with the Landship towards accomplishing both sectors objectives.

The Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw joined with Mrs. Niles and senior members of the Barbados Landship movement in recognizing and presenting top awards won by the schools:

Among these were as follows:

BEST PRIMARY SCHOOL LANDSHIP

1^st – BLS Sankofa, Deacons Primary

2^nd – BLS Fountainhead, St. Albans Primary

3^rd – BLS Explorers, Holy Innocents Primary

BEST SECONDARY SCHOOL LANDSHIP

1^st – BLS Asantehene, Princess Margaret Secondary School

2^nd – BLS Frederick Smith Vanguard, Frederick Smith Secondary School

3^rd – BLS Garrison, Graydon Sealy Secondary School

Leadership awards were offered to the top 2 outstanding students at each school’s Landship, along with the Coordinating teachers in the programme.

The CCO noted that the most important parts of the Landship model are those aspects that deal with creating and cementing community bonds and generally developing resilience in an unequal and at times challenging world. (PR)

Education

Youth Thrive Through NTI-AI Programme

Twenty-seven young trainees of the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps (BYAC) stood proudly in the Courtney Blackman Grand Salle at the National Transformation Initiative’s Advance Initiative (NTI-AI) Graduation Ceremony, on Wednesday, August 28.

Parents and supportive stakeholders joined the graduates in celebrating their transformative journey with NTI-AI that equipped them with essential skills for the future. Described as a “lifeline,” the programme has been credited with enhancing their work-life skills, digital proficiency, and communication abilities that will bolster their technical-vocational training assignments at various institutions.

BTI-AI EXPLAINED

The NTI-AI programme, originally called Technical Vocational Transitional Literacy Programme (TVTLP), continues to embody NTI’s mission of empowering Barbadians through diverse learning opportunities. Led by a new team headed by a Special Education Diagnostician and Literacy Specialist, the programme focused on developing both functional literacy and essential skills needed for personal and professional success, enabling trainees to effectively navigate their chosen technical and vocational career paths. It also featured career tours designed to expose the trainees to various sectors, enhancing their understanding of potential career opportunities.

Allyson Murray, NTI-AI Lead Facilitator, commended the trainees, stating, “The site visits provided a tangible link between theory and practice. We saw you apply the instruction in real-world settings, and for us, this was a testament to your understanding and adaptability.”

PROJECTS SHOWCASED

The ceremony also highlighted creative projects produced by the trainees, showcasing their newly acquired skills in video production, content creation, and digital storytelling. These projects were developed under the guidance of NTI partner TAPP Digital Incorporated, reflecting the diverse capabilities the trainees have developed.

NTI also recognised eight exceptional trainees with Samsung Galaxy Tablets as an encouragement to continue pursuing their lifelong learning, not only for their outstanding performance in the programme, but for exceeding expectations by completing the NTI flagship Citizenship Course as well as taking the initiative to successfully complete multiple NTI-Coursera courses.

EIGHT STARS

The eight STARR Bajan awardees included Devon Atkinson, Rolando Cain, Matthew Goodridge, Jaheim Kellman, Kymara Trotman, Sergio Parris, Ayana Griffith, and Demaril Thorpe.

Demaril Thorpe, NTI-AI Class Ambassador, electrified the room as he shared his reflections on the programme, stating, “The NTI course impacted me a lot; it made me a better communicator… People would tell you to chase your dreams, but I was never a fan of that. I’m someone who has a vision, and I believe you should follow your vision… A dream is something you go to sleep and wake up from.” Thorpe’s commitment to the programme was evident as he completed several NTI courses, including Core Skills, Occupational Safety and Health, Personal Financial Management, and Entrepreneurship, in addition to the Citizenship course. He also completed NTI-Coursera courses such as Introduction to Generative AI and Introduction to Large Language Models.

The interactive keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of setting goals, maintaining a positive mindset, working hard, and giving back. Speaking directly to the graduates about his journey, he said, “You might think that you are there and I am here, and there’s a gulf between us. The only gulf between us is your imagination… Once you can imagine it, you can achieve it.”

Also in attendance were The Hon. Charles Griffith, Minister, Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment and his Permanent Secretary Mrs. Joy Adamson, ; Hally Haynes, Director, Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps; Dr. The Hon. Allyson Leacock, Director, NTI; Mrs. Melissa Nurse-Herbert, BYAC Senior Programme Officer; and Mrs. Markiesha Alleyne, NTI-AI Coordinator.

NTI-AI is a collaboration between the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps (BYAC) and the National Transformation Initiative (NTI), aimed at equipping young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their technical and vocational programmes and succeed in a competitive job market. The Central Bank of Barbados has partnered with NTI in facilitating the graduation ceremony over the past two years. (PR/GIS)

CAPTION: Graduands and guests at the National Transformation Initiative’s Advance Initiative (NTI-AI) Graduation Ceremony, recently.

Education

DEM Summer Event For Youth Today In Queen’s Park

The youth will be in focus when the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) hosts The DEM Summer Event entitled: High Winds; Rough Seas, today, Friday, August 30, at Queen’s Park, The City, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Director of the DEM, Kerry Hinds, will officially open the one-day event, while Programme Officer, Simon Alleyne, will make a short presentation on disaster preparedness and management.

The event is targeted at young people between the ages of seven and 21 and is designed to raise awareness about the various hazards that affect Barbados, and the ways in which they can prepare and mitigate impact.

The DEM Summer Event is aimed at engaging the youth in disaster management activities to challenge their knowledge of the different natural hazards.

It is also designed to bring awareness of the dangers of the different hazards that can affect the Caribbean region and equip youth with practical skills to build their household emergency plans, create emergency supply kits and adopt safety measures.

During the day, there will be practical demonstrations from the Barbados Fire Service in fire safety and the use of the fire extinguisher, while the Barbados Water Authority will have a mist station among its exhibits.

Other exhibitors will include the Barbados Meteorological Services, the Barbados Citizens’ Band Radio Association, the Barbados Defence Force’s Drone Unit, the Barbados Red Cross and Sagicor General Insurance. Additionally, there will be novelty games designed to promote disaster knowledge and awareness.

Persons attending the event are encouraged to walk with a change of clothes as it is a water event. (PR/GIS)