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Tutors at the Barbados Community College (BCC) took to the streets on Tuesday, staging a protest against what they perceive as an unjust recruitment process. The industrial action, marked by chants of “enough is enough” and “good work deserves promotion,” saw staff members walking out of classrooms and gathering at the main gate with placards demanding fairness in hiring practices. The protest was sparked by the controversial appointment of a new head of department, with staff alleging that long-serving and highly qualified internal candidates were overlooked in favor of external applicants. Richard Green, General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), described the situation as “untenable” and called for urgent talks with BCC management to resolve the issue. NUPW President Kimberley Agard emphasized that this incident was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” citing years of unresolved grievances among staff. Approximately 60 workers participated in the protest, which is set to continue until management agrees to engage in dialogue. BCC Principal Annette Alleyne acknowledged the protest but assured that classes continued with minimal disruption. She reiterated the college’s commitment to addressing staff concerns through open dialogue and clarified that the partnership with the National Transformation Initiative (NTI) was part of a broader institutional strategy, not imposed by the board chair. Alleyne also denied claims that the NUPW intervened in the interview process for the disputed position. A meeting between BCC management and the NUPW has been scheduled for Wednesday morning to discuss a resolution.

Caribbean education systems must move beyond their traditional focus on academic certificates and grades, instead fostering a culture that emphasizes innovation, critical thinking, and a strong sense of regional identity, according to Chad Blackman, Minister of Educational Transformation. Speaking at the opening of the Second Regional Transforming Education Symposium and Policy Dialogue (TESPD 2025) held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle, Blackman highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in how success is measured in the region.

For decades, Caribbean societies have placed immense value on academic achievements, often equating high marks with success. However, Blackman argued that this approach has limited the region’s potential. ‘While certification opens doors to higher education or better jobs, it has not prepared us to be innovators or critical thinkers rooted in Caribbean confidence and philosophy,’ he stated.

The minister also addressed the entrenched culture of school pride and the informal hierarchies associated with schools across the Caribbean. He noted that in small societies like Barbados, the question ‘Where did you go to school?’ often leads to immediate judgments about a person’s capabilities. Blackman called for the dismantling of such attitudes as part of the broader ‘decolonisation’ of the education system. ‘Every school must be a school of excellence, and the process of accessing these schools should not be burdensome but should reflect the inherent potential of every child,’ he emphasized.

Blackman’s remarks aimed to set the stage for the symposium, which brought together policymakers, educators, and development partners to explore how Caribbean education systems can be restructured to meet 21st-century challenges. He stressed that the transformation must go beyond structural reforms, advocating for a cultural shift in how learning and success are valued across the region.

In a significant court hearing at the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court in Barbados, six individuals, including four teenagers, faced a total of 44 charges, primarily related to robbery and burglary. The accused—Deroy Leroy Holder, Serrian Jamali Scott-Fagen, Dakari Deshawn Carmichael, Runako Jeremiah Nurse, Tyreall Jamar Kidd, and Damon Hayden Cummins—appeared before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes on Tuesday afternoon. The charges, all indictable, were read without pleas being taken.