As 600 new students embarked on their technical and vocational training journeys at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) this academic year, institute principal Ian Drakes used the annual orientation ceremony to lay out clear expectations, drawing a firm line against criminal and anti-social activity on campus.
Opening the orientation event, Drakes framed access to technical and vocational education at SJPI as a privilege that comes with corresponding personal and civic responsibilities. He acknowledged the growing independence of young adult learners, noting that the institute’s role is not to micromanage every aspect of student life but to provide thoughtful, experienced guidance that meets students where they are.
“We recognize that as young adults, you will navigate personal matters that don’t require institutional involvement,” Drakes told the assembled incoming cohort. “We’re here to offer adult guidance — we’ve all been in your shoes, so we understand what this transitional period feels like. But we also share a common understanding that every right to an education is paired with accountability. Respecting your peers and instructors, and actively engaging with the knowledge our faculty offers, that’s core to your responsibility as a student here.”
Drakes left no room for ambiguity when addressing the issue of harmful behavior, announcing the institute’s uncompromising zero-tolerance policy for bringing criminal activity, disruptive anti-social conduct, weapons, or illicit substances onto campus. “You did not come here to waste time,” he emphasized. “If you want to idle, smoke or carry weapons, you can do that anywhere else across Barbados’ 166 square miles — not here. You enrolled to gain career-focused technical training, so leave those harmful activities off campus. We will not tolerate them.”
Beyond setting boundaries, Drakes encouraged new students to recognize the unique value of the opportunity they’ve earned. He pointed out that countless aspiring learners across the country would jump at the chance to study at SJPI, a respected institution that has long shaped Barbados’ skilled workforce and national development. Drakes urged students to approach their studies with a purpose-driven, positive mindset, reminding them that the skills they gain here will empower them to build stable, fulfilling lives for themselves and their families.
“This is a pristine institution that has contributed enormously to our country’s progress,” he said. “When you leave here with your training, we want you to grab hold of your future with both hands. Build a life that can sustain your family — that’s how you’ll one day be the one standing here, guiding the next generation of students.”
Closing his address, Drakes warned incoming students against falling prey to peer pressure and negative social influences, urging them to cultivate independent critical thinking. “Don’t go astray. Don’t fall into the herd mentality that ignores red flags just to fit in,” he cautioned. “Stop and ask yourself if a choice makes sense for your future. You’ve earned an incredible opportunity, and lost chances never come back. Make the most of every day you have here.”