Ministry of Education, T&T soca artiste eyes stronger cultural ties in education

A collaboration in the creative arts is being touted as a catalyst for reshaping Caribbean education, as the education minister and a Trinidadian soca star with Barbadian roots agreed on a way to mesh regional identity, culture and industry-ready skills from an early age.

Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman and soca artiste Nailah Blackman discussed the collaboration during a courtesy call at the minister’s office on Monday.

Blackman, who has deep Barbadian roots in her lineage, is regarded as soca royalty as the granddaughter of the late Ras Shorty I, creator of soca music, and daughter of calypsonian Abbi Blackman. 

It was not immediately clear whether the minister and the performer were related.

During the meeting, Chad Blackman said Barbados’ ongoing education reform presents an opportunity to place Caribbean identity and culture at the forefront.

“Your vision for the arts, not just in Trinidad, but for Barbados and around the Caribbean and globally, I think there are a lot of synergies that we can have,” he said.

The minister added that as Barbados transforms its education system, there is a push to place “the Caribbean front and centre with the future of what education looks like, particularly with decolonising education”.

Nailah Blackman agreed, stressing the importance of reshaping how Caribbean children are taught from an early age.

“You really have to get out of the mindset of colonialism because it’s something that tears us apart,” she said, adding that children and young people must be rooted in arts and culture from early.

“That’s where it starts, moulding that mind properly, sincerely, especially rooted in arts and culture.”

Minister Blackman also revealed plans to expand creative arts opportunities in schools, including developing music production spaces for students.

“We’ve made a commitment that a number of our schools must have a creative arts curriculum, but importantly, having studios in schools where they can actually produce music and produce beats and soundtracks,” he said.

He explained the aim was to equip students with practical creative skills before leaving school so they are prepared for careers in music and the arts regionally and internationally.

“It’s an exciting time,” the minister added.

 

(SB)