As the September start of the new academic year approaches, Barbados’ Ministry of Education Transformation has intensified on-the-ground oversight of ongoing school renovation and new construction projects across the island, with Education Minister Chad Blackman launching a schedule of weekly site inspections to track progress at dozens of campuses.
These inspections form part of the broader government education transformation agenda, backed by a nearly $290 million budget allocation for the 2026-27 financial year that targets infrastructure upgrades for 35 public schools across Barbados.
On Wednesday, Minister Blackman led a cross-departmental inspection team, including senior leaders from the ministry’s Technical Management Unit and education sector officials, through five education facilities located within a two-mile radius. The tour included the newly developed Barbados Climate School at Chelston Park, Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary, St Giles Nursery, Wilkie Cumberbatch School, and Maria Holder Nursery at Government Hill. The team assessed construction progress and checked preparedness for the arrival of students and teaching staff next month.
Blackman explained that 35 schools are currently undergoing major refurbishment work during the summer break, with 13 campuses closing immediately after final exams this year to extend the construction window and minimize disruptions once the new term begins. The inclusion of two nursery schools on the inspection itinerary ties to a key policy milestone launching in September: the rollout of universal access to early childhood education across Barbados. Blackman noted that an early childhood education specialist joined the tour to evaluate preparations at the early learning facilities.
The minister confirmed that regular site inspections will continue over the coming weeks as work advances at projects across the island, adding that residents can expect to see sustained construction activity as the government works to deliver a fully modernized national education infrastructure.
“Work is continuing in earnest, and as Barbadians traverse across the country, you will continue to see significant work ongoing as we build out modern infrastructure,” Blackman said during the tour.
Reaffirming the ministry’s long-term commitment to infrastructure upkeep, Blackman announced that school facility upgrades will no longer be limited to the traditional summer construction window. Going forward, upgrade and maintenance work will be scheduled year-round, taking advantage of weekends, mid-term breaks, and other school holidays to complete necessary improvements without disrupting classes.
Blackman closed by extending gratitude to teachers, students, and families across Barbados for their patience and ongoing support as the ministry delivers on this large-scale infrastructure improvement program.