The Ministry of Educational Transformation in Barbados has unveiled an ambitious nationwide literacy campaign, Project SOAR (Strengthen Our Ability to Read), aimed at transforming reading into the country’s ‘superpower’ for future development. Minister Chad Blackman announced the initiative during the launch of Literacy Week at St Giles Primary School, emphasizing that literacy is essential for Barbados to lead globally despite its lack of natural resources. ‘Our strength lies in our ability to think critically and influence global decisions. By teaching our children to read, we are preparing them to lead the world,’ Blackman declared. The campaign, set to roll out aggressively in the coming weeks, targets both children and adults, with a focus on ensuring every child can read by age seven and improving adult literacy rates. The minister highlighted that the programme will be implemented through community centres, schools, and online platforms, making it accessible to all. Blackman stressed the importance of parental involvement, urging caregivers to prioritize reading as a key tool for their children’s success. He also linked poor literacy to societal challenges, such as youth frustration, and called for a collective national effort to achieve full literacy. The initiative will involve collaboration between the government, private sector, and NGOs, marking a significant step toward educational transformation in Barbados.