The Ministry of Educational Transformation in Barbados has unveiled a groundbreaking literacy initiative, Project SOAR (Strengthen Our Ability to Read), aimed at transforming the nation’s future by enhancing reading skills among both children and adults. Minister Chad Blackman, speaking at the launch of Literacy Week at St Giles Primary School, emphasized that literacy must become the country’s ‘superpower’ in the absence of traditional resources like military strength or vast natural reserves. ‘Our strength lies in our ability to lead in thought and influence global decisions,’ he declared. The campaign, set to roll out aggressively in the coming weeks, will focus on ensuring every child can read by age seven while also addressing adult literacy challenges. Blackman highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, involving government, private sector partners, and NGOs. He urged parents to actively support the program, stressing that literacy is essential for children to thrive in a globalized world. The minister also linked poor literacy to societal issues, such as youth frustration, and called for a nationwide effort to achieve full literacy. Project SOAR will utilize community centers, schools, and online platforms to make literacy accessible to all, marking a transformative step in Barbados’ development.