Education in Barbados

Last updated

Education in Barbados
Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training

Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training
Hon. Kay McConney MP
National education budget (201516)
BudgetBDS$489,608,238 [1] [2] [3]
General details
Primary languages English
System typeNational
Compulsory education1890 (Education Act of 1890)
Literacy (2014 [4] )
Total99.6
Male99
Female99.6
Enrollment (2015-16)
Total46 812
Primary20 148
Secondary20 370
Post secondary13 420+ [5]
Attainment
Secondary diploma n/a
Post-secondary diploma n/a
Total enrolment includes pre-primary and special education.
The Elsie Payne Complex at the Barbadian Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education, Barbados.jpg
The Elsie Payne Complex at the Barbadian Ministry of Education.

Education in Barbados is based primarily on the British model.

Contents

Overview

Universal access to primary and secondary education dates from at least the 1960s. [6] The literacy rate in Barbados for youth and adults are both above 99%, only falling to 98.5 among the elderly. The literacy gender parity rate is 1.0. This information is for 2014.

Starting in 2000, the government initiated the Education Sector Enhancement Programme, usually referred to as EduTech 2000. This USD 213 million project was financed by the Government of Barbados (45%), the Inter-American Development Bank (40% and the Caribbean Development Bank (15%). [7] This initiative provided for four key improvements: (a) repairs to 73 of the public primary and secondary school buildings; (b) new units established by the Ministry to support new teaching methodologies, including the Shell Media Resources Review Center, the National Educational Evaluation and Research Centre (at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill), and a Programme office within the Ministry; enhancements to the technological availability (new computers, software and networking); (d) in-service training for all teachers in technology integration, child-centred methodologies, and special needs education; and (e) curricular reform to respond to changes in Barbados society. The key conceptual foundations for the initiative are constructivism and child-centred education. Most of the in-service training was provided by Erdiston Teachers' Training College. [6] [7]

History of Education in Barbados

During Barbados' pre-emancipation era (1807-1833), the abolition of the slave trade spurred efforts to educate slaves. These efforts, aimed at immediate amelioration and preparation for freedom, underscored the importance of "civilizing and Christianizing" the slave population through education. Despite resistance from planters, Bishop William Hart Coleridge and others established day and Sunday schools, emphasizing moral and religious instruction. Post-emancipation, educational expansion continued with British government support through existing missionary societies into the 1840s, aiming to provide moral and religious instruction to the newly emancipated population. [8]

Student Progression in Barbados

In Barbados, the educational journey for children typically begins at primary school, commencing at the age of 5 and continuing until around 11 years old. The primary school curriculum provides a foundational education covering various subjects and skills necessary for further academic development. Upon reaching approximately 11 years of age, typically at the culmination of Class 4, students undertake the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE), commonly referred to as the "Common Entrance Examination." This standardized test evaluates students' academic abilities and determines their placement into secondary schools across the island. The secondary school phase of education in Barbados spans from ages 11 to either 16 or 18, depending on the specific school and educational pathway chosen by the student. During this period, students delve deeper into specialized subjects, preparing for external examinations such as the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, which typically occur at the end of the secondary education cycle. [9]

The Introduction of the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE)

In 1959, Barbados saw the introduction of the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE), also known as the Common Entrance Examination (CEE). This standardized test was implemented to allocate placements in secondary schools across the island and marked a significant development in the educational system. [9]

During the post-independence era, especially from the late 1960s, there was a notable increase in the demand for secondary education among the general population. However, the existing number of secondary school spaces was insufficient to meet this rising demand. As a result, the BSSEE was introduced to address this challenge. [9]

Institutions

As of 2015–16, there are: [3]

5 tertiary- or vocational-level institutions
1 central administrative agency, Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, including inter alia

School Year

The Barbadian school year is fashioned after the British system, and as such, it follows a scheduling with three terms per school year.

The first term begins the second week of September and continues for 15 weeks adjourning in mid-December excluding one week for Mid Term Break in Mid-October. The second Term begins in the first week of January and continues for 12 weeks ending the end of March. The final Third Term begins mid-April and continues for 11 weeks until the end of June.

The School Holiday period is 9 to 10 weeks long from the end of June until the first week of September.

Education is provided free of charge and is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16, and attendance is strictly enforced. [10] In 1991, the gross primary enrollment rate was 90.4 percent. [10] During his tenure as Prime Minister, The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow introduced free education in Barbados, ensuring that all children had access to schooling regardless of their background. He also implemented a school meals service in 1963, providing nutritious meals to students.

[11]

Education Investment and Technology Upgrades in Barbados

It was reported that Barbados has spent roughly US$15 billion on Education since Independence in 1966. In 2006 during the inaugural Cecil F. deCaires Memorial Lecture at the Frank Collymore Hall, the former Central Bank Governor Sir Courtney Blackman remarked that between 1966 and 2000 successive Governments (of Barbados) had spent US$15 billion on education costs – "a remarkable investment for such a small state". [12]

In 2009, Ronald Jones as the Minister of Education and Human Resource Development said the Barbados government spent $290 million to upgrade the schools with information technology. Given this Jones said the ministry would be entering a grading processes for schools on their usage of the technology using a scale of 1 to 6. [13]

Footnotes

  1. Government of Barbados Information Network: $1/2 BILLION SPENT ON EDUCATION [ permanent dead link ]
  2. Bend, Katrina (2008-12-13). "Edu-upgrade on the cards". Nation Newspaper . Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2009. Thompson noted $1/2 billion is spent on education in Barbados each year and government wants to increase and update this field as a tool for the country's development of Barbados. "We spend in Barbados, a 1/2 billion dollars a year on education, therefore we want to make sure that the money does not prevent any child in our country from realising his or her potential. "Every child in Barbados has access to primary, secondary and tertiary education. The participation rate at the first two levels, that is primary and secondary, is 100 per cent, while enrolment in tertiary institution is about a quarter per cent." Thompson said the overall effect of the country's investment in education is at a general standard, but it has improve significantly.
  3. 1 2 "2015-16 Statistics on Education in Barbados at a glance". Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  4. Estimate for Barbados, from , CIA World Factbook
  5. "About the Ministry". Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs & Sports, Barbados. c. 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-03-07. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  6. 1 2 Parris, Barbara (2000). "A Reform Initiative: The Barbadian Experience" (PDF). ERIC. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  7. 1 2 Brief on the GOB/IDB/CDB Education Sector Enhancement Programme. Bridgetown, Barbados: Government of Barbados. 2001-11-23.
  8. Blouet, Olwyn M. (1980). "To Make Society Safe for Freedom: Slave Education in Barbados, 1823-33". The Journal of Negro History. 65 (2): 126–134. doi:10.2307/2717051. ISSN   0022-2992.
  9. 1 2 3 Pilgrim, Marcia; Hornby, Garry; Inniss, Tara (2018). "Selective Secondary School Education In Barbados: The Need For Change". Journal of International and Comparative Education. 7 (2).
  10. 1 2 "Barbados" Archived 2008-09-05 at the Wayback Machine . Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor (2001). Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor (2002). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. nationnews (2012-01-21). "In honour of Barrow". nationnews.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  12. Alleyne, David (2006-07-02). "NO WAY OUT". Nation Newspaper . Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2009. THE DAYS OF FULL GOVERNMENT FUNDING for university education in Barbados is all but over. This is the prediction of former Central Bank Governor Sir Courtney Blackman. Speaking at the inaugural Cecil F. deCaires Memorial Lecture at Frank Collymore Hall on Wednesday night, Sir Courtney said few nations outstrip Barbados' spending to make education affordable. He said between 1966 and 2000 successive Governments had spent US$15 billion on education costs - "a remarkable investment for such a small state". "Government has begun to feel the fiscal burden of one of the world's most extravagant commitments to education," he said.
  13. "Schools to be graded on computer use". CBC. Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. 2009-08-14. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 16 August 2009. Some 290 million dollars has been spent equipping schools with the relevant technologies but Minister of Education and Human Resource Development Ronald Jones says he is not yet satisfied with the use of information and communication technology in primary and secondary schools in Barbados. Although millions of dollars have been invested in education hardware and software upgrades, Education Minister Ronald Jones says many schools across the island are not fully using the systems. He says schools across the island will soon receive a one to six certification grade based on how well they use the technologies available in the administrative and teaching processes. "If you are just simply using it for administrative purposes you might end up with a grade 1. "THE highest point is where the full and total integration, where students are using it in the production of their work."

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbados</span> Island nation in the Caribbean

Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of North America, and is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands. It lies on the boundary of the South American and the Caribbean Plates. Its capital and largest city is Bridgetown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Michael, Barbados</span> Parish in Barbados

The parish of St. Michael is one of eleven parishes of Barbados. It has a land area of 39 km2 (15 sq mi) and is found at the southwest portion of the island. Saint Michael has survived by name as one of the original six parishes created in 1629 by Governor Sir William Tufton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Botswana</span>

Education in Botswana is provided by public schools and private schools. Education in Botswana is governed by the Ministries of Basic Education. and Tertiary, Research Science and Technology Among sub-Saharan African countries, Botswana has one of the highest literacy rates. According to The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency as of 2015, 88.5% of the population age 15 and over can read and write in Botswana were respectively literate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Mauritius</span>

Education in Mauritius is managed by the Ministry of Education & Human Resources, which controls the development and administration of state schools funded by government, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools. The Tertiary education is maintained by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology. The government of Mauritius provides free education to its citizens from pre-primary to tertiary levels. Since July 2005, the government also introduced free transport for all students. Schooling is compulsory up to the age of 16. Mauritian students consistently rank top in the world each year for the Cambridge International O Level, International A and AS level examinations. Among sub-Saharan African countries, Mauritius has one of the highest literacy rates. The adult literacy rate was at 91.9% in 2022. According to the 2022 census, the proportion of people with higher education has increased to 8.8%. Mauritius was ranked 57th in the Global Innovation Index in 2023, 1st in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Nigeria</span>

Education in Nigeria is overseen by the Federal Ministry of Education. The local authorities take responsibility for implementing state-controlled policy regarding public education and state schools. The education system is divided into Kindergarten, Primary education, Secondary education, and Tertiary education. Nigeria's federal government has been dominated by instability since declaring independence from Britain, and as a result, a unified set of education policies is yet to be successfully implemented. Regional differences in quality, curriculum, and funding characterize the education system in Nigeria. Currently, Nigeria possesses the largest population of out-of-school learning youths in the world. The educational systems in Nigeria are divided into two the public where the student only pays for Parents Teachers Association (PTA) while the private where students pay school fees and some other fees like sports, exam fees, computer fees etc. and they are costly

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Jordan</span>

The education system of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan includes basic, secondary, and higher education and has dramatically evolved since the establishment of the state in the early 1900s. The role played by a good education system has been significant in the development of Jordan from a predominantly agrarian to an industrialized nation over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Guyana</span>

Education in Guyana is provided largely by the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Education and its arms in the ten different regions of the country. Guyana's education system is a legacy from its time as British Guiana, and is similar to that of the other anglophone member states of the Caribbean Community, which are affiliated to the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). School curricula, funding, standards and other policies are set by the central government and implemented through the Ministry of Education and related agencies. The Education System is divided into eleven districts, ten of which correspond to the national administrative and geographical regions of the country, while the capital, Georgetown, is treated as a separate education district, district 11. With 8.3% of its GDP spent on education, Guyana sits with Cuba, Iceland, Denmark and Botswana as among the few countries with top spending on education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combermere School</span> Second-level school in Barbados, founded 1695

Combermere School is a school in Barbados, notable as one of the oldest schools in the Caribbean, established in 1695. Its alumni include several leading cricketers, David Thompson, sixth prime minister of Barbados and other politicians, several authors and the singer Rihanna. In its first 75 years, the school "provided the Barbadian community with the vast bulk of its business leaders and civil servants" and it is "perhaps the first school anywhere to offer secondary education to black children".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Somalia</span>

Education in Somalia refers to the academic system within Somalia. The Ministry of Education is officially responsible for education in Somalia, with about 15% of the nation's budget allocated to scholastic instruction. The breakaway republic of Somaliland maintains its own advanced Ministry of Education.

Education in Trinidad and Tobago is free and is largely and primarily based on the British education system, compulsory between ages 5 and 16. Trinidad and Tobago is considered one of the most literate countries in the World with a literacy rate exceeding 98%. This exceptionally high literacy rate can be attributed, in part, to free tuition from Kindergarten (Pre-School) to University.

Education in Eswatini includes pre-school, primary, secondary and high schools, for general education and training (GET), and universities and colleges at tertiary level.

Education in Montserrat is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 14, and free up to the age of 17. The Government of Montserrat developed an Education in the Country Policy Plan for 1998–2002 in conjunction with the United Kingdom. Under this plan, the government is supporting initiatives in the areas of curriculum development, student assessment and evaluation, professional development for teachers, post-secondary education expansion, and educational infrastructure and information technology.

Harrison College is a co-educational grammar school in Bridgetown, Barbados. Founded in 1733, the school takes its name from Thomas Harrison, a Bridgetown merchant, who intended it to serve as "A Public and Free School for the poor and indigent boys of the parish".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leah Marville</span> Barbadian television personality (born 1985)

Leah Janine Marville is a Barbadian TV Host, model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Barbados World 2009.

The Barbados Community College is a tertiary institution located on Eyrie Howells' Road, Saint Michael, Barbados.

The Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology is a technical and vocational educational institution located in Pine Hill, Bridgetown, Barbados.

The Erdiston Teachers' Training College is located in Pine Hill, Bridgetown, Barbados. It is affiliated with the School of Education of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of the West Indies at Cave Hill</span> Education organization in Cave Hill, Saint Michael,, Barbados

University of the West Indies at Cave Hill is a public research university in Cave Hill, Barbados. It is one of five general campuses in the University of the West Indies system.

Monica Skeete was a Grenadian poet, writer and teacher. Her work was first published in the Barbadian literary magazine BIM in 1946. Her 1978 collection of short stories, Time Out, was published by Nelson Caribbean in their Authors of the Caribbean series, to support a growing educational market for Caribbean literature. Other short stories were anthologised in several publications. She also wrote novels. Much of her career was spent as a history teacher at Queen's College, Barbados. She died in 1997.

References