标签： Barbados

The festive spirit of Independence Day in Bridgetown, Barbados, is being overshadowed by a surge of vacant shopfronts along Broad Street, with local merchants attributing the lack of patriotic displays to economic challenges rather than apathy. Eddy Abed, head of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce’s Revitalisation of Bridgetown Committee, emphasized that empty stores, not a lack of patriotism, are to blame for the subdued celebrations. ‘Vacant stores cannot show Independence or Christmas decorations because they are unoccupied,’ Abed explained. He urged a realistic assessment of Bridgetown’s evolving retail landscape, pointing to declining fortunes as the primary cause. Despite this, many businesses continue to showcase national pride by adorning their stores with blue, gold, and black decorations, blending Independence and Christmas celebrations. Abed highlighted the coexistence of these two events, stressing that neither should overshadow the other. Reflecting on the past, he noted that over half of Broad Street’s retail spaces now lie vacant, a stark contrast to its former vibrancy. The shift towards minimalist holiday decorations, both in Barbados and globally, reflects changing trends rather than a lack of participation. Abed’s comments came in response to Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams, who recently encouraged businesses to engage in Independence festivities. Abrahams acknowledged the challenges businesses face but emphasized the importance of celebrating national identity. Abed concluded by urging the public to view the two celebrations as complementary, not competing, events.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, the heroic efforts of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff at Black River Hospital have come at a significant personal cost. Despite saving all 71 patients during the storm, many staff members now face homelessness, hunger, and exhaustion. Dr. Robert Powell, an emergency medicine resident, revealed the dire situation during a visit to the storm-ravaged facility. He shared that the hospital was left in ruins, with roofs torn off, wards flooded, and medical equipment destroyed. Beds, patient files, and furniture were scattered across the compound, leaving only a small section of the Accident and Emergency unit partially usable.

When the river behind her home surged and the wind ripped the roof off her kitchen, Tasheva Hinds knew it was time to flee. The mother of four was at home in River Lane with her family of seven, including a five-month-old baby, when Hurricane Melissa ravaged St Ann. ‘The river rose rapidly, and then the bathroom and kitchen roof were torn away,’ Hinds recounted to Barbados TODAY. ‘The children’s room was blown off, and water poured in from every direction.’ The family braved torrential rain and fierce winds to seek refuge at a nearby police station, where an officer helped them reach a shelter. ‘It was terrifying,’ Hinds admitted. ‘Trees were falling, and the river was rising uncontrollably.’ Days later, Hinds, still clutching her baby, surveyed the ruins of her home. ‘I’m grateful it wasn’t worse,’ she said, determined to rebuild. Nearby, Tina Wilson faced a similar ordeal. She was preparing dinner when the storm hit. ‘I saw the roof lift off and told my daughter to run with the baby,’ Wilson recalled. ‘I stayed to save what I could, but the house was swept away.’ Wilson and her family sought shelter in a friend’s unfinished concrete house, narrowly escaping as a massive tree crushed their home. ‘We lost almost everything,’ she said, ‘but we’re alive, and that’s what matters.’ Both families, like many in River Lane, are now salvaging what remains, clearing debris, and burning ruined furniture. ‘If we can get materials to patch up a shelter for the children, we’ll be content,’ Wilson said, embodying resilience in the face of disaster.

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.

A dispute over unfair dismissal and union representation has sparked a walkout at Portvale Sugar Factory in Barbados. Over a dozen workers staged a protest on Monday, standing in solidarity with a colleague who was dismissed on Friday following a verbal altercation with a junior manager. The incident reportedly began when the employee parked his vehicle inside the factory compound, a violation of company rules, to protect it from grass clippings during maintenance. When instructed to move his car, the situation escalated into a heated argument, leading to his termination. Caswell Franklyn, General Secretary of the Unity Workers Union, condemned the dismissal as “unfair, unreasonable, and stupid,” alleging that the worker was not given a fair hearing. Franklyn claimed that management had already prepared the dismissal letter and termination certificate before the hearing, violating legal procedures. He also criticized the factory for refusing to recognize the Unity Workers Union as the legitimate representative of the workers, instead favoring the Barbados Workers’ Union, which reportedly has no members at the factory. Workers expressed additional grievances, including unpaid overtime during the harvest season, with some working up to 56 hours without compensation. Franklyn suggested that the dismissal may be retaliatory due to the worker’s union affiliation. The workers have vowed to continue their protest one random day a week until the matter is resolved. Management was unavailable for comment, and other employees were instructed not to speak to the media. Before leaving the compound, all workers removed their names from the attendance logs, signaling their collective dissent.

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) has called for immediate written protocols regarding the storage and disposal of outdated materials in schools following the discovery of rat bite marks on records at Deacons Primary School. This incident prompted a comprehensive inspection and cleanup effort last week. BUT Vice President Julian Pierre, responsible for occupational safety and health, joined officials from the Ministry of Educational Transformation’s Education Technical Management Unit (ETMU), the Ministry of Health, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) representatives, and school staff to assess the situation on Monday. Pierre emphasized the urgency of addressing rodent infestations and ensuring a safe environment for students and staff. He highlighted the need for clear guidelines on record retention and disposal, stating that principals should not bear the sole responsibility for such decisions. The union also advocated for standardized procedures to handle rodent sightings, noting that janitors have previously been instructed to clean up droppings before health officials arrive, potentially compromising safety. Following the inspection, Pierre acknowledged the significant cleanup and maintenance work completed over the weekend, including sealing entry points, replacing windows and doors, and removing debris. The Ministry’s communications consultant, Gaynelle Marshall, confirmed that the school was made safe for reopening, with ongoing upgrades planned. Deacons Primary Principal Sylvia Atherley expressed satisfaction with the repairs, emphasizing the school’s commitment to health and safety. Area MP Neil Rowe also praised the efforts, noting improvements in bathrooms, windows, and plumbing. While further work is needed, all parties agreed that immediate concerns have been addressed, and classes have resumed. BUT pledged to continue monitoring the situation to ensure long-term safety.

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.

Educators in Barbados have emphasized the critical role of teachers in driving the nation’s education reform, urging the government to prioritize their needs and contributions. This call was made during the John Cumberbatch Memorial Lecture, an annual event held as part of the Barbados Union of Teachers’ (BUT) Teachers’ Week observance. Under the theme ‘Teachers: The Heart of Educational Transformation,’ BUT President Rudy Lovell asserted that teachers are the true catalysts of change, bridging the gap between policy and practice. He highlighted their indispensable role in maintaining educational continuity during crises, from economic downturns to the COVID-19 pandemic, and stressed that education is not merely about knowledge transfer but shaping the future of Barbados. Lovell called for significant investments in teacher training, mental health support, safe working conditions, and better resources, emphasizing that transformation is impossible without equipping educators with the necessary tools. He also advocated for the reinstatement of full-term vacation leave to pre-2014 levels, noting the importance of rest for educators’ well-being. Dr. Hyacinth Harris, former president of the Association of Public Primary School Principals, echoed these sentiments, advocating for teacher empowerment and inclusion in decision-making processes. She emphasized that transformation must be co-created, not imposed, and that valuing the teaching profession is essential for meaningful reform. Both speakers underscored that the success of future generations hinges on the strength and support of today’s teachers.