Students to be consulted before new Education Act reaches Parliament

In a significant shift towards student-led policy-making, students are to help rewrite the 1983 Education Act to reflect contemporary challenges and opportunities, Minister of Educational Transformation Senator Chad Blackman announced on Wednesday.

Young people’s ideas and concerns will be central to shaping the new legal framework governing education, Blackman told a student council conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

“This is an exciting time,” he said. “For the first time, students will not just be heard but will be an active part of the decision-making process that will define the future of education in Barbados.”

He sought to assure the audience that the youth’s involvement in revising the legislation would not be a token exercise but a meaningful shift towards greater student involvement in education policy.

“This will not be a talk shop—I can tell you that,” Senator Blackman asserted. “It is about ensuring that students have a real stake in decision-making and that their voices shape the policies that govern their education.”

The minister highlighted the importance of student leadership, arguing that young people must be allowed not only to participate in discussions but also to take ownership of the decisions that affect them.

“Leadership is not just about having students at the table to tick a box,” he said. “We must give them the latitude to lead, to have a say in governance, and to see that their input leads to action.”

As part of this new approach, Senator Blackman revealed that he will hold quarterly meetings with student councils and ensure that young people are consulted on any education bill before it reaches Parliament.

“I am committing now to ensuring that students are involved in the legislative process,” he said. “Their perspectives must be considered because they are the ones who will live with these policies long after they leave school.”

The educational transformation minister acknowledged that the education system has traditionally been adult-centred, dominated by principals, teachers, administrators, and the ministry. He argued that preparing confident, critical-thinking citizens for a changing world requires a shift in approach.

“The world that today’s students live in is changing rapidly. We need to equip them with the tools to navigate the global economy, tackle issues like climate change, and develop solutions while still in school,” he said.

Senator Blackman pointed to his own experience in youth leadership as an example of how early exposure to governance can shape future success.

“I started in the youth movement at 18 and went on to represent Barbados on the global stage,” he said. “Imagine what our young people could achieve if they were involved in decision-making even earlier.”

He added: “We must put Barbados ahead of the rest. We should be ranking alongside Asia and the Arab world, where student leadership is taken seriously. Leadership doesn’t just mean politics—it applies to business, commerce, manufacturing, and community development.”

Senator Blackman encouraged students to reimagine their role in shaping Barbados, especially as the country continues its journey as a republic. (SZB)