Barbados has initiated a comprehensive national campaign to confront a severe literacy crisis, abandoning previous claims of 99% literacy rates. Educational transformation specialist Shawntelle Morgan of I-Teach Transformative Knowledge Solutions Ltd identified 2025 as a watershed moment for the nation’s education system, marked by the Ministry of Education’s ambitious Project SOAR (Strengthen Our Ability to Read) initiative.
The program represents a fundamental shift in educational strategy, implementing mandatory daily reading blocks across primary schools nationwide. Education Minister Chad Blackman has established the definitive goal of ensuring universal literacy by age seven—a direct response to years of declining academic performance in both reading and mathematics.
Morgan acknowledged the government’s recognition of the literacy deficit as a positive development but emphasized that sustainable progress requires evidence-based approaches rather than merely implementing new programs. ‘We require robust assessment mechanisms to identify specific student needs before designing targeted interventions,’ Morgan stated. ‘Effective literacy programs must be tailored to individual learning levels rather than employing one-size-fits-all solutions.’
The literacy expert advocated for an expanded definition of literacy that transcends basic decoding skills to include comprehensive reading comprehension, critical analysis, and higher-order thinking capabilities. This broader perspective aligns with the nation’s objective of developing globally competitive citizens prepared for 21st-century challenges.
As Barbados transitions toward digital educational platforms, Morgan highlighted the necessity of creating interactive resources that accommodate diverse learning styles. These digital tools should enable differentiated instruction and provide multiple avenues for knowledge demonstration, including hands-on activities, model creation, and varied expression formats.
Morgan also addressed behavioral challenges in classrooms, noting that perceived disengagement often masks students’ inability to express knowledge through conventional methods. She championed multisensory instructional approaches that build student confidence and capability, ultimately fostering more positive learning environments and better educational outcomes.