President confirms Chapman Challenge to start with Class Three, Four pupils

President Jeffrey Bostic has announced that the first phase of the long-awaited Chapman Challenge will commence later this year, involving Class Three and Four pupils.

The initiative, which will be launched by the Office of the President and supported by community volunteers, is designed to inspire young people to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.  

Speaking to students and teachers during a visit to the Grantley Prescod Memorial School, President Bostic said the programme aims to encourage children to rise above challenges they may face.  

“This school, like any other school, has its challenges… you could see some challenges that you would have had to stage this event this morning. But the important thing is the fact that you did not allow the challenges to prevent you from doing what we are doing here today. You rose above the circumstances.”  

The Chapman Challenge was first announced during the President’s inaugural address on November 30 as part of a national effort to support at-risk youth and strengthen mentorship across communities.  

The programme draws inspiration from Bostic’s own journey – from growing up in Chapman Lane to rising through the ranks of the Barbados Defence Force as a lieutenant colonel, and now serving as the island’s second president.  

During Tuesday’s visit, students from both Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary and Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary gathered at the St Barnabas school. Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary Reception, Infants A and Infants B pupils are currently being accommodated at the site due to renovations at their campus.  

The pupils from Infants B delivered a medley of songs including Proud to be a Bajan, I Am a Bajan and Beautiful Barbados, which brought smiles all around as everyone sang along.  

An acrostic was performed by the young pupils with help from their teachers about President Bostic, with each letter representing a quality that the president displays.  

Class Four P sang a song about the days of the week in Spanish, showing that learning a second language can be not only educational but also fun.  

The final talent performance was a dance, and even though the music cut off during the performance, the pupils showed their professionalism by continuing to dance, which impressed the president.  

At the beginning of his address, the president quoted the school’s mission statement: “Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary School is committed to provide a disciplined, stimulating and creative environment, which challenges students to acquire the knowledge necessary for the development of positive attitudes; thus helping them to develop to their full potential and become effective, responsible and productive citizens in the global, technological society.”  

Bostic declared: “I felt that they really need to use the office of the president, to be able to see the young children of our country in primary and secondary school… I want to encourage teachers and students alike. To be able to understand and to do so that you become motivated and this journey is the purpose of my visit.”  

Bostic also mentioned his visit was to let the people of Barbados know who their head of state is. “I felt that now is the time, now is the time for us to be able to interact with the ordinary boy and girl, man and woman on the street so that they get to know and to see their head of state and so for me, it provides an opportunity for me to interact with you.”  

Addressing the societal changes and the difficulties faced by teachers, Bostic said: “You are operating in some very difficult and challenging times, perhaps more so than your predecessors ever had to deal with, and it is because of the societal problems that we have. Sometimes things could get better. I’m not going to stand here and pretend that things do not happen anymore – they don’t… I want to encourage you that although your job may be challenging, although it may be tough, your responsibility remains one where there should be ‘no retreat and no surrender’.”  

The president invited his aide-de-camp, Captain Tevin Maynard, to speak to the pupils and inspire them to persevere regardless of their background. A former student of Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary School, he recited the school’s motto, “We persevere, we succeed, for life we work,” prompting many pupils and teachers alike to join in with pride.  

Captain Maynard left the students with a powerful message they are sure to remember: “Anything you put your mind to, you can achieve if you are of good character, you persevere and you continue to work hard. Every time people tell you you can’t, prove to them you can, because I am a walking testament that something good can come from the Lane.”  

The principal of Grantley Prescod welcomed the students, teachers and president in her remarks, describing how momentous the occasion was. “It is with great expectation that we are gathered here in this format to see and hear from an outstanding son of the Barbadian soil who had to make discipline his way of life in order to achieve his accomplishments.”  

Referring to Ecclesiastes chapter three, verse one – “To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven” – the principal added: “There is a purpose for the president to address us. It is for us to listen carefully, pay close attention, and be guided by his words of wisdom.”  

During a question-and-answer session, pupils asked the president several questions. One female pupil asked, “What was your favourite subject in school?” Bostic replied, “Spanish,” and the pupil responded, “Gracias.”  

A Brownie asked how old the president was, and with a bashful smile he responded: “I am 65.”  

Another Brownie from Grantley Prescod asked if the president had always wanted to become president. He said: “I never dreamed that I would… I wanted to be a teacher.”  

The president was presented with a mahogany plaque of the school’s crest carved by former student Marlon Waterman.