Education Reform In Barbados
 

Education Reform is a hot topic in Barbados and this has been so for some time now, but unfortunately, depsite the many committees and consultants called on to do the job, nothing much has changed.

 

Sadly, educators are looking at the Common Entrance Examination as a major issue in the reform of education but that exam is no different to end of term exams, except that it gets more attention and is now very commercialised.

Issues that should be attracting the reform committees include the quality staff in schools, including principals, deputy principals and teachers and the training and vetting of such.

Accountability in schools which is missing in almost all public schools on the island is critical to success in education.  Today, the failing of classes year after year which are taught by the same teachers has not caught the attention of authorities is one of the areas where accountability is needed.

If schools in Barbados are expected to be equal, school rules should be the same across the board.  There are too many varying school rules, many of which disadvantage children in certain schools.

The evaluation of children from pre school stage should be a must to spot any early problems that can be corrected as the chld developes.  Provisions should be made to assist families that might not be able to afford the cost of correcting problems with children.

Pre-schools should be evaluated every year and assistance should be given to ensure that all pre schools are equipped with fundamental learning materials.  The staff in pre-schools should also be trained and should meet the necessary qualifying standards.