New education ministries, same old questions

The apparent restructuring of the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training into two distinct entities—the Ministry of Educational Transformation and the Minister of Training and Tertiary Education—has justifiably triggered national conversation. 

The fact is that Barbadians have been awaiting a promised major overhaul of our traditional, outdated system that is not fully serving the diverse needs of students or preparing them for the ever-changing, fast-paced modern world. 

Two years ago, the Mia Mottley administration launched a national plan to “deconstruct and reconstruct” the current education system. The proposed new system framed in the 2023 document, Reimagining Education in Barbados, outlined the government’s vision for a brighter future for every child. 

It declared, “The overarching goal is to establish an education system that empowers all students to reach their full potential, fostering a future where opportunities are boundless and inclusive.” It also emphasised the importance of “fostering a culture of excellence” and transforming the education system that “requires all stakeholders to collaborate” in shaping a fair, inclusive, relevant, and modern system. 

The proposals, challenges and recommendations were ventilated at 13 town hall meetings held across the island.

However, more than a year has elapsed without a comprehensive update on the progress of the proposed reforms, and the public wants answers about the latest change, which has seen the removal of Kay McConney as Minister of Education and the appointment of Senator Chad Blackman to lead a Ministry of Educational Transformation, while Sandra Husbands is now Minister of Training and Tertiary Education.

The public, in robust social media conversations, has been calling on the government to not only provide a rationale for creating two ministries but also to explain how they will function, their precise mandates, and whether they will truly advance education transformation. Our children, the future of Barbados, cannot afford to be caught in a state of prolonged transition.

We have no reason to believe that Senator Blackman, who in public addresses has been calling for the nation’s youth to be given full opportunities to reach their highest potential and export their skills and services to the global market, or Minister Husbands, who often underscores the benefits of lifelong learning, are not up to the task of delivering results. Still, the government must provide detailed information regarding the structure, objectives, and operational frameworks of the two ministries. This transparency is essential for building trust and fostering support for the changes ahead.

We know that the success of any education reform will hinge on the active participation and buy-in of all stakeholders, including teachers, parents, students, and the wider community.

Furthermore, while we agree that developing a sound, fit-for-purpose education system is imperative in the current environment, rushing the process may defeat the purpose. Over the last few years, we have certainly learned that education transformation is a complex undertaking that requires careful planning, meticulous execution, and ongoing evaluation.

Therefore, the voices of key stakeholders, such as the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and parent advocates, are crucial in navigating this change. The president of the BUT, Rudy Lovell, has rightly called for clarity on the functions and responsibilities of the new ministries. Similarly, parent advocate Paula Ann Moore’s support for the new ministries and her pledge of collaborative support present timely opportunities to ensure that parents are more involved in the learning process so that children reach their full potential.

We now await further information from the newly established ministries. It’s critical to keep in mind that the overarching objective of educational reform is to build a system that fosters the full potential of every child and adult citizen. Clear communication about policies and outcomes will enable informed decision-making by parents, educators, and the wider community.