‘Smooth start’ to Hilary school term as education reforms continue 

Schools reopened for teaching on Tuesday for the Hilary term with what the government described as a smooth and coordinated return to classrooms, as Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman highlighted months of preparation and signalled new policy and programme rollouts to advance education reform.

In a pre-recorded statement, Blackman said early reports from schools across the island indicated an orderly start, crediting deliberate efforts to strengthen internal systems within the Ministry of Education.

“Today, of course, marks the beginning of term two of the academic year, and I want to welcome back all of our principals, teachers, ancillary staff, students, school meal workers, parents, and all those who are central to making our schools what they are,” he said. “From all reports from around the country, we have experienced a smooth and well-coordinated start this morning. This is the result of intentional work done over the past several months to strengthen the systems that support our day-to-day operations in the ministry.”

The minister also pointed to ongoing efforts to improve the physical condition of school facilities, noting that repairs and upgrades were undertaken during the Christmas break, with further work scheduled to continue during the term.

“We have remained committed to maintaining the structural integrity of our school plants and ensuring our learning environments are safe, they’re functional, and conducive to learning,” he said, adding that additional projects would be carried out on weekends.

He indicated that details would soon be released on a widened national school beautification initiative.

“Shortly, the nation will be getting further details on a widened national school beautification initiative that I would have shared at the end of term one, that we are very, very excited about,” he said.

Among the upcoming initiatives is the formal launch of a National Mentorship Programme for young men in schools, which Blackman described as a critical support mechanism.

“I will also shortly be launching formally the National Mentorship Programme for our young men in schools, ensuring that we work hand-in-hand in making sure that they receive the guidance and support necessary that they need in navigating their development, their future, and their role in Barbados’ future development,” he said.

Blackman reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing school policies on grooming and nutrition, linking them to holistic student development.

“We continue to uphold important school policies, such as grooming standards and nutrition guidelines, because we have the firm view that shaping the whole child goes well beyond academics alone,” he said.

He also announced the launch of a science and technology roadshow at several schools, beginning on Wednesday.

“Both Minister Reid and I will be launching the Science and Technology Roadshow at a number of our schools,” Blackman said, stressing the importance of equipping students to become creators of technology rather than passive consumers.

Further reforms were planned for 2026, including enhanced teacher training and continuous assessment at the early primary level to support a new transition model, said Blackman. 

With Barbados approaching its 60th anniversary of Independence and fifth as a republic, Blackman described the period as pivotal. “This year invariably is an important one in the delivery of transformation of education,” he said, adding that national engagements would help chart the role education must play in the country’s next phase of development.