Gov’t to engage parents, students, on plans for education

Government plans to have a series of discussions with educators, students and parents over the next few months, as it seeks to chart the way forward for education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That disclosure came Friday from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training Santia Bradshaw, as they spoke at the presentation of the 2020 leadership badges to students at the Wildey Gymnasium.

In her brief talk with the pupils, Mottley said she understood the concerns about the blended approach to learning implemented after the COVID-19 lockdown. She assured them that Government was well aware of the difficulties being experienced and intends to have talks with stakeholders about the best course of action for the 2021 academic school year.

“I ask myself how these young kids feel, having to have their life disrupted. Many of you have already spoken to me and to the Minister of Education about your strong desire to get back to school. We hear you, and we are going to start the conversations to see how best we can get you back into that regular place, because school is not only about what you learn in textbooks or on the screens; school is also about your ability to learn, to mix with, play with, and be together with all of your friends. We get it, and we want you to get back there as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is possible that we may have to put on some additional classes to make up the deficit, and we may have to do that through 2021, as soon as it is safe and possible to do so,” she added.

Minister Bradshaw added that the time had come for students to share their grievances as well as their ideas about how best to shape the education system going forward.

“I also want to start a conversation with you shortly, and across Barbados with our students, about the type of education system that you also want to see for the future. I want to hear about the concerns that many of you have, because as head boys and head girls, I am sure that you are interacting with other students who have concerns about education, concerns about the online environment, the blended approach, all of those things.

“It is important you have a say, just like your parents have a say in various forums, just like your teachers would have a say, just like the principals have a say and just like the general public has a say. I believe we cannot change the way in which we teach and learn unless we also hear from you, the students upon which the educational system will impact,” the Education Minister said.