Barbados National Council of Parent Teacher Associations Encourages Residents to Engage in Government's Education Reform Proposals

The Barbados National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (BNCPTA) is urging residents to study Government’s latest education reform proposals and make their input.

Commenting on Saturday on the launch of the proposals by the Ministry of Education last Thursday, General Secretary of the BNCPTA Nicole Brathwaite also advised Barbadians to raise any concerns they may have and offer solutions to any perceived problems or obstacles.

Brathwaite, whose organisation was part of the collaborative process that resulted in the launch of the proposals for education transformation in Barbados, suggested that all citizens want a high-quality education system that caters to all the needs and learning styles of the nation’s children.

“…As well as one that will allow them to progress at their own pace as they become equipped with the knowledge, skills and the requisite certification that will enable them to find their place in this world and do whatever they can do best,” she said.

“Our educational system is officially under construction and we look forward to the fruit of our efforts in the years to come and trust that education in Barbados will keep transforming to best serve the needs of our children, our educators, our country and indeed the world,” the spokesperson for the umbrella parent-teacher body added.

She also appealed to parents to “get in the game of education and stay in the game” as coaches.

Brathwaite contended that by doing this, parents can provide guidance and direction and be role models, advocates for safety, fairness and equity.

She said that parents should also become cheerleaders and be their children’s number one fans, showing up and supporting them until each child reaches their full potential and can demonstrate to the world that they have become competent craftsmen of their own fate.

“The research shows that parental involvement is a key factor in student achievement and we firmly believe that every child can have a bright future to look forward to, so long as their parents’ status in the game of education is active and not delinquent at every stage,” the BNCPTA general secretary recommended.

The reform proposals include universal pre-primary education for three-five- year-olds, introduction of Specialist Teacher and Master Teachers; abolition of the Common Entrance Examination and introduction of new modes of transferring children from primary to secondary; and a two-stage secondary structure starting academic year 2025.

That latter proposal calls for the introduction of Junior Colleges of Excellence for 11-14-year-olds and Senior Colleges of Excellence for 15-18-olds.

(EJ)