Central Bank Governor Inspires 11-plus Achievers

Dr Kevin Greenidge, governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, delivered an inspiring message at this year’s Resilience Award ceremony, emphasising perseverance and determination. The event took place at the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs’ auditorium in St Michael, where 12 exceptional students were honoured for their achievements despite significant challenges.

The resilience award initiative, established in 2022, involves collaboration between social workers and primary school teachers to identify students who have triumphed over adversity and excelled in the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination, commonly known as the 11-plus or common entrance exam.

Reflecting on his own journey, Greenidge shared that he faced numerous hardships during his childhood, including time spent in a children’s home and attending school without lunch. He urged the pupils to understand that their current struggles did not define their future. “45 years ago, I was you. I was that person doing the 11 Plus and going through tough times,” he said, recounting his own experiences with the common entrance exam. ” Things were not perfect, but I was thriving.”

Greenidge’s journey from a disadvantaged youth to a distinguished economist with degrees from prestigious institutions like the University of the West Indies, the University of Cambridge and the  University of Nottingham where he earned his PhD, serves as a powerful testament to the potential within each of the award recipients.

He emphasised the importance of goal setting in overcoming obstacles, recalling how he would write down his academic goals and display them prominently in his home, using them as motivation throughout his studies. “[Setting goals] gives you a purpose and a sense of where to go,” he stressed.

In his address, the Central Bank governor also highlighted the necessity of maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity. “Most times things may not go the way you want them to go. You may not get the mark that you want, you may not feel that things are going your way, you may feel things are hard. That is okay. It’s only through hardship and toughness that you build resilience,” he stated, encouraging the students to view their challenges as stepping stones to success.

Students from 33 schools have been awarded since the Barbados Association of Professional Social Workers launched the programme three years ago.