Caribbean education systems must move beyond their traditional focus on academic certificates and grades, instead fostering a culture that emphasizes innovation, critical thinking, and a strong sense of regional identity, according to Chad Blackman, Minister of Educational Transformation. Speaking at the opening of the Second Regional Transforming Education Symposium and Policy Dialogue (TESPD 2025) held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle, Blackman highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in how success is measured in the region.
For decades, Caribbean societies have placed immense value on academic achievements, often equating high marks with success. However, Blackman argued that this approach has limited the region’s potential. ‘While certification opens doors to higher education or better jobs, it has not prepared us to be innovators or critical thinkers rooted in Caribbean confidence and philosophy,’ he stated.
The minister also addressed the entrenched culture of school pride and the informal hierarchies associated with schools across the Caribbean. He noted that in small societies like Barbados, the question ‘Where did you go to school?’ often leads to immediate judgments about a person’s capabilities. Blackman called for the dismantling of such attitudes as part of the broader ‘decolonisation’ of the education system. ‘Every school must be a school of excellence, and the process of accessing these schools should not be burdensome but should reflect the inherent potential of every child,’ he emphasized.
Blackman’s remarks aimed to set the stage for the symposium, which brought together policymakers, educators, and development partners to explore how Caribbean education systems can be restructured to meet 21st-century challenges. He stressed that the transformation must go beyond structural reforms, advocating for a cultural shift in how learning and success are valued across the region.