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  • Barbados, OPEC Fund launch climate financing initiative

    Barbados, OPEC Fund launch climate financing initiative

    Against a backdrop of growing frustration over a global financial architecture that disproportionately disadvantages nations on the front lines of climate change, Barbados and the OPEC Fund for International Development have launched a groundbreaking new partnership to expand access to low-cost financing for climate resilience and sustainable development projects. Dubbed the Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Compact, the initiative was officially launched at the OPEC Fund Development Forum held in Vienna, Austria, uniting 78 climate-vulnerable economies and more than 15 leading global development finance institutions around a shared mission to remove financial barriers for high-risk, low-emission nations.

    The launch of the V2V Compact marks a major milestone for the global reform movement spearheaded by Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, which has pushed for an overhaul of international finance rules that force climate-vulnerable nations – particularly small island developing states – to pay exorbitant borrowing costs. For decades, these nations have highlighted a stark global injustice: they contribute less than 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet face the worst impacts of climate change, from catastrophic hurricanes and chronic drought to widespread coastal flooding, and are penalized with higher interest rates for that risk. This has locked many vulnerable nations into a cycle of debt and limited their ability to invest in infrastructure and resilience measures that could prevent future climate disasters.

    Built on the core principles of the earlier Bridgetown Initiative, which advocates for expanded development financing for the 1.7 billion people represented by the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the V20 group of climate-vulnerable finance ministers, the V2V Compact puts national ownership at the center of its model. Unlike fragmented traditional funding models that require nations to navigate complex, siloed arrangements across dozens of international institutions, the new framework aligns financing with each participating nation’s own development priorities, while offering more favorable terms including extended repayment periods that match the long timeline of climate projects.

    As co-organizer of the initiative, Barbados leads in its capacity as chair of both the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the V20 group. Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Mottley emphasized that the compact is designed to correct deep-seated inequities in the global financial system, placing vulnerable nations at the heart of decisions that shape their development trajectories. “Countries lead, and finance institutions align,” Mottley outlined in her official statement, explaining that the model eliminates the bureaucratic fragmentation that has long slowed investment in critical climate and development projects.

    In its initial phase, the V2V Compact will prioritize three foundational sectors that are critical to building long-term climate resilience and advancing human development: water access, public education, and healthcare infrastructure. For Mottley, the initiative is about more than just helping vulnerable nations survive climate shocks – it is about creating pathways to long-term prosperity. “This Compact is about securing not just survival, but viability and prosperity. Our countries deserve sustainable pathways to development, and that can only happen by unlocking affordable capital,” she added.

    The roster of participating development institutions reads like a who’s who of global development finance, including the Caribbean Development Bank, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank Group, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and members of the Arab Coordination Group. The framework combines multiple complementary tools to meet nations’ needs: it blends affordable, predictable long-term financing, targets private capital mobilization to scale up investment, and integrates shock-responsive financial tools that help countries maintain critical public services and strengthen resilience both before and after climate disasters strike.

    OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa framed the V2V Compact as a powerful example of international solidarity and practical, solution-oriented collaboration. He noted that the OPEC Fund has a long track record of supporting vulnerable nations, having provided approximately $17 billion in financing to V20 countries over the past five decades.

    Work is already underway to turn the framework into action. A detailed white paper outlining the compact’s implementation mechanisms is scheduled to be presented at the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, set to take place in Bangkok this October. As global momentum builds for climate finance reform, the V2V Compact represents one of the most concrete, coordinated efforts to date to deliver on the promise of affordable finance for the world’s most climate-vulnerable communities.

  • Windies set for Sri Lanka challenge at North Sound

    Windies set for Sri Lanka challenge at North Sound

    As the first Test of a two-match series between West Indies and Sri Lanka prepares to get underway at North Sound, Antigua this Thursday, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed confidence that his side has left no stone unturned in their preparations for both the local pitch conditions and Sri Lanka’s formidable spin-focused bowling attack.

    Both international outfits enter this series hungry to turn around prolonged underperformance in Test cricket, the longest and most traditional format of the sport. The West Indies have failed to secure a win across their last five Test outings, collecting only a single draw in that stretch. For Sri Lanka, the results have been equally underwhelming: just one win in their past five matches, paired with one draw and three losses.

    Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the team’s training camp in Antigua, Sammy detailed the intense work the playing squad and coaching staff have put in ahead of the opening clash. “Everyone has stepped up to adapt to these challenging conditions,” he said. “What has stood out most for me is the team’s focused attitude, as we’ve prepared for every scenario we could face in this first Test. From what we’ve observed as coaches and the feedback from training sessions, the work ethic has been really impressive.”

    Sammy emphasized that the squad built their training plan specifically to counter Sri Lanka’s strength in spin bowling, a preparation he expects to pay off when play begins. “We designed every drill around the conditions we expect here in Antigua, and adjusted our game plan to match and neutralize Sri Lanka’s core skills to come out on top,” he explained. “We’ve already studied the match surface closely and have a clear picture of how it is likely to play out through the five days. Every part of our preparation has been customized to that context.”

    Reflecting on his side’s recent inconsistent run in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, Sammy pinpointed key areas the squad has targeted for improvement. “Over our first six Test matches in this championship, we’ve learned that success comes from batting for long periods and avoiding collapse within a session,” he said. “We’ve often been in strong positions, but struggled to withstand a good bowling spell from the opposition. That’s one of the main areas we’ve focused on in training.”

    While Sammy openly acknowledged the existing challenges facing the West Indies batting unit, he made clear that the team is ready to overcome those hurdles. “We’ve been drilling into the batters that they have to value their wicket and put in the work to bat long,” he said. “Test cricket isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon, and every player’s true character gets tested in this format. That’s the mindset we’ve been building.”

    Ahead of the series, West Indies named a 15-player squad that sees the recall of wicketkeepers Joshua Da Silva and Amir Jangoo, while fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph return to the fold after recovering from injury-related absences. Sammy said he is fully satisfied with the selected group, noting that despite a truncated domestic first-class season leading into the series, players put up strong performances to earn their spots.

    “I truly believe we’ve picked the strongest possible squad for this challenge against Sri Lanka,” he said. “For me, the biggest boost is having our full four-pronged pace attack back: Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, Jaden Seales, and the experienced Kemar Roach. These bowlers have been outstanding for us over the past two years, and we missed them badly in the latter part of last season. Having all of them fit and available is a huge advantage going into this series.”

  • Semi-final spot on the line as Windies Women meet England

    Semi-final spot on the line as Windies Women meet England

    As cricket fans around the globe count down to a make-or-break Group 2 clash at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, West Indies off-spinner Karishma Ramharack has sounded a confident note, confirming her side fully understands the high stakes and is ready to take on host nation England at Lord’s this Wednesday, with a coveted semi-final spot up for grabs.

    Both sides head into the fixture sitting unbeaten at the top of the Group 2 table, having picked up six points from two completed matches. England holds the upper hand heading into Wednesday’s game, however, boasting a far superior net run rate that puts them in pole position if results end level. For West Indies, their road to this critical fixture has been marked by consistent winning form: they opened their campaign with a stunning seven-wicket upset over defending champions New Zealand, followed by a seven-run victory over Scotland and most recently a five-wicket win against Sri Lanka, stretching their unbeaten run to three matches.

    Ramharack noted that the team’s strong run at the tournament has not come as a surprise to the squad, despite inconsistent performances in lead-up matches before the World Cup. “I don’t know, we just show up for these types of tournaments and I feel like the girls understand the assignment. We’ve as a group collectively put our hands up at different times,” she said. “We have different players showing up for us and that’s really important for us as a group… As you said, the magic is just finding a way, and we’ve done that so far.”

    The challenge facing West Indies is formidable, even with their current winning streak. England enters the clash as one of the pre-tournament favorites, having won each of their last five T20 matches in comprehensive fashion. History also favors the hosts: West Indies have only secured one win against England in their last five encounters in the format, with that single victory coming in 2024. England, by contrast, has beaten Ramharack’s side three times in 2025 alone.

    Despite the stacked odds, Ramharack says West Indies is focused only on controlling what they can on match day. “Of course you know it’s going to be a really big game, I think what we can do is control what we can as a team, plan well, prepare well, and just execute as best as we can, but of course we’re looking forward to the atmosphere and playing at Lord’s,” she explained.

    Should West Indies pull off an upset and secure their place in the semi-finals, Ramharack says the squad has no preference for which opponent they face next. “On the day it’s another game of cricket and whoever turns up, we’re going to turn up as well,” she said.

    Addressing the fact that many analysts did not count West Indies among pre-tournament title contenders, Ramharack rejected the idea that the underdog label has given the side any extra advantage. “I don’t think we have thought of it much, but I feel like, as I said, it’s a tournament that we actually show up in. We’ve done it previously, and I think you know with three out of three wins right now, I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t have thought that we would be here today,” she said.

    For the squad, Ramharack emphasized that the ability to grind out results, paired with the strong team bond built through their early winning streak, has been the driving force behind their success. “The fact that we are finding a way as I mentioned before, finding a way is a big thing for us. That’s really, really important for us as a group, and I feel like the bond that we’ve created throughout winning brings positivity and a different type of feeling.”

  • Culture, creativity on display at Crop Over Gala

    Culture, creativity on display at Crop Over Gala

    Barbados’ rich tapestry of ancestral culture, rhythmic traditions and vivid folk heritage will step into the global spotlight on Saturday, July 4, when the island’s National Cultural Foundation (NCF) hosts the annual Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes Gala at Bridgetown’s iconic Queen’s Park. As one of the most beloved and historically significant cornerstone events of the island’s iconic Crop Over harvest festival, this year’s gathering will reimagine Queen’s Park as an immersive, living cultural village, welcoming attendees to a full afternoon of dynamic performances, ceremonial pageantry, hands-on cultural workshops, authentic local cuisine, handcrafted artisan goods, soulful music, and a heartfelt tribute to the generations that shaped Barbadian identity.

    The ceremony traces its roots back to the historic plantation era, when it marked the official end of the annual sugar cane harvest – an industry that for centuries formed the backbone of Barbados’ economy and social fabric. More than a simple seasonal ritual, the event today stands as a living tribute to the labor, resilience and extraordinary creativity of the Barbadian people whose work forged the nation’s distinct social, cultural and economic identity. This year’s iteration builds on that centuries-long legacy, curating a wide-ranging, family-friendly showcase that honors the island’s past while embracing the evolving, inclusive spirit of the modern Crop Over festival.

    One of the most anticipated highlights of the 2026 gala is the Cultural Procession Parade, a vibrant, moving celebration of Barbados’ living cultural heritage that brings centuries-old folk traditions to life. The procession features brilliantly colored traditional costumes, synchronized rhythmic movement and iconic folk characters, woven together into a powerful narrative of national pride. Participants include legendary stiltwalkers, iconic Shaggy Bears, the beloved Mother Sally folk figure, foot-stomping Tuk Bands, Donkey Men, historic reenactors portraying plantation workers, the unique Barbados Landship performance troupe, traditional drummers, cheerleaders, and a host of other folk performers, each adding a distinct, meaningful layer to the story of Barbadian cultural expression. The procession will also feature the iconic dray cart carrying the traditional Mr Harding effigy, a staple of the ceremony for generations.

    Upholding the event’s deep spiritual and ceremonial roots, the Sons of God Apostolic Church will lead the traditional Blessing of the Last Canes, a ritual that has remained a core part of the occasion since its origins. Continuing the theme of commemorating the nation’s milestones, this year’s gala will also showcase six elaborate large-scale masquerade costumes, each crafted around a theme that reflects Barbados’ history, ancestral heritage, folklore, creative imagination, and 60th anniversary of national independence. The standout creations include *Keeper of the Canes* by Trevor Chase, inspired by the King of Crop Over tradition; the Queen of Crop Over costume by Neil Stanley; *Harding’s Fiery March* by Gordon Ashby, centered on the iconic Mr Harding figure; *Kaiso, Kaiso* by Carla Gittens; *Rise of the Ancestors* by Troy Burgess, themed around Emancipation; and *Continuum: Folklore to Future* by Wayne Smith and Adrian Burnett, created to mark the Barbados at 60 milestone.

    Beyond the parades and costume displays, the gala invites attendees to engage directly with Barbados’ living cultural traditions through a full schedule of hands-on workshops and artisan demonstrations. Visitors can learn traditional techniques including hand painting, head tying, traditional Barbadian sweet making, natural fiber crafts, mini Sailors’ Valentines, caricature art, recycled jewelry making and basket weaving from master local artisans. As a special community-focused interactive activity, the public will be invited to contribute to the creation of a large-scale Sailors’ Valentine, a collaborative art project celebrating the island’s 60 years of independence.

    Additional attractions across the site include live performances from the Barbados Police Service Band, a mass secondary school choir, a full steelband orchestra, and a special concert production titled *60 Years of Calypso* that traces the evolution of this iconic Barbadian musical form. Attendees will also have opportunities for photos with performers, view curated traditional costume displays, explore the Queen’s Park Gallery Exhibition, browse dozens of local food and craft vendors, and visit the NCF’s dedicated Creatives Hub. The event will also showcase Barbados’ intangible cultural heritage with public demonstrations of sticklicking, and hands-on Maypole workshops and classes, designed to keep these critical traditional practices visible, accessible and engaging for younger generations.

    Organizers have specifically prioritized making the event welcoming for multi-generational family groups, with a large dedicated kids’ playground, age-appropriate interactive cultural activities, and a warm, inclusive community atmosphere that runs throughout the day. A free HIV/AIDS grooming booth will also be operated on-site for attendees. A moving, key ceremonial moment of the day will be the formal recognition of outstanding sugar workers and long-time Crop Over stalwarts, honoring the contributions of the individuals who have worked tirelessly to preserve, grow and sustain the traditions that define the festival to this day.

    The NCF is extending an open invitation to both Barbadian residents and international visitors to join the celebration, promising an afternoon that brings the full spirit of Crop Over to life – from its origins in the island’s cane fields and folk traditions to its modern expressions of calypso, masquerade, craft, music and community connection. The Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes Gala will open its gates at 2 p.m. on July 4 at Queen’s Park.

  • Barbados backs new push for affordable climate finance

    Barbados backs new push for affordable climate finance

    A groundbreaking new global partnership launched jointly by Barbados and the OPEC Fund for International Development is set to transform how climate-vulnerable nations access critical, low-cost financing for development and climate adaptation projects. The new multi-stakeholder framework, named the Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Compact, was officially announced during an event in Vienna, assembling an unprecedented coalition that includes 78 climate-vulnerable economies and more than 15 leading global development finance institutions.

    Unlike traditional financing models that often leave the most climate-exposed nations struggling with crippling short repayment windows and high interest rates, the V2V Compact is structured to address the unique barriers these countries face. Core reforms under the initiative include extending loan repayment terms to match the long lifecycle of climate resilience projects, aligning all financing packages with the individual national development priorities of participating countries, and rolling out customized financing mechanisms that directly support infrastructure upgrades, climate adaptation work, and the preservation of essential public services from healthcare to clean energy.

    Speaking on the initiative, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley emphasized that the compact marks a critical shift in global climate finance. For decades, Mottley noted, small and climate-vulnerable nations have been forced to focus solely on surviving climate disasters rather than building long-term prosperity. By unlocking affordable, accessible capital, the V2V Compact is designed to help these countries move beyond a constant state of crisis response, enabling them to build durable resilience and work toward sustainable economic viability and shared prosperity for their populations.

    The launch comes as growing global consensus recognizes that the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, which have contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions, face the steepest costs of climate change and often lack access to the financing needed to adapt. The coalition built through the compact aims to fill a critical gap in the existing global climate finance architecture, creating a coordinated pathway for institutional investment to reach the communities that need it most.

  • Another setback for Equity Insurance appeal as tribunal delays hearing

    Another setback for Equity Insurance appeal as tribunal delays hearing

    Equity Insurance Company Limited’s latest legal bid to reverse the Financial Services Commission’s (FSC) decision to shut down the firm hit a major procedural hurdle this Monday, when preliminary disagreements pushed back the start of its high-stakes appeal hearing and pushed the final substantive proceeding out to mid-October.

    The case, which was originally scheduled to open before the three-member Financial Services Appeals Tribunal (FSAT), was entirely consumed by pre-hearing procedural disputes that will now be sorted out at a dedicated case management conference slated for July. Following guidance from FSAT chair Justice Christopher Blackman, a retired High Court judge, both legal teams for the insurer and the regulator agreed that the window of October 12 to 16 is the appropriate timeframe to schedule the full substantive hearing.

    Alongside pushing back the main hearing, the tribunal issued three key procedural rulings on Monday. First, it formalized the deferral of the substantive appeal to October. Second, it delayed a separate application by Equity Insurance to amend its official appeal grounds, after the company’s supporting affidavit was found to contain factual inaccuracies. Third, it formally dismissed a “statement of protest and reservation of rights” submitted by the insurer as procedurally inappropriate.

    Explaining the dismissal of the protest statement, Justice Blackman noted that the document included a false claim that the company had been forced to work on separate winding-up proceedings while the appeal was pending. He clarified that a prior High Court order issued by Justice Dr. H. Patrick Wells on April 10 explicitly paused all winding-up actions until the FSAT ruled on the appeal, leaving no valid foundation for the protest.

    Equity Insurance, represented by senior counsels Alrick Scott KC and Larry Smith KC, has pushed back against the tribunal’s rulings. Scott rejected the finding that the amendment application was defective, arguing that the application notice explicitly and thoroughly addressed the specific seventh ground for appeal that the tribunal flagged as missing from the affidavit.

    “We reject the suggestion that the application is defective, because we dealt specifically with the specific ground in our notice of application,” Scott told reporters following Monday’s proceedings. He also defended the insurer’s decision to file the protest statement, noting that it was intended to formally document the company’s objections over the tribunal’s failure to order document disclosure, as well as what the firm calls an unreasonably tight hearing timetable.

    Scott emphasized that the timetable set by the tribunal, which was appointed only in February, was always unrealistic for a complex, high-stakes commercial appeal. He added that a late affidavit filed by the FSC on Sunday, on behalf of restructuring manager Craig Waterman, also contributed to the need to reschedule the full hearing. Waterman was present at Monday’s proceedings in his official capacity as the regulator-appointed restructuring lead for the struggling insurer.

    Senior Counsel Garth Patterson, representing the FSC, backed the tribunal’s dismissal of the protest statement, calling the unusual filing unnecessary. Patterson, who has 40 years of experience in legal practice, said he had never encountered such a document being submitted to an appeals tribunal in his career, and agreed with Justice Blackman that it was redundant to the tribunal’s record.

    Monday’s procedural dispute is the latest chapter in a months-long legal battle between the insurer and the national financial regulator. The conflict dates back to March, when the FSAT rejected the FSC’s request to suspend Equity Insurance’s appeal entirely. At that time, FSC attorney Amanda Best had asked the tribunal to pause the appeal while a separate High Court application to wind up the insurer moved forward.

    That separate High Court application was ultimately dismissed by Justice Dr. H. Patrick Wells in a 77-page ruling. Justice Wells found that the FSC had failed to establish a clear legal basis for immediate winding-up, and warned that forcing liquidation at that stage would undermine the statutory appeal process. He did leave the door open for the FSC to renew its application after the FSAT rules on the current appeal, and noted that the regulator could ask the court for guidance if the appeal process suffers unreasonable delay.

    The entire dispute traces back to August of last year, when the FSC seized regulatory control of Equity Insurance, citing long-standing unresolved breaches of multiple financial sector laws and ongoing risks to the policyholding public.

  • Merrymen co-founder hailed as cultural pioneer after death

    Merrymen co-founder hailed as cultural pioneer after death

    Barbados has lost one of its most influential cultural ambassadors after the passing of Sir Charles Emile Straker, the legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist who took the island’s homegrown music to a global audience. The 90-year-old, who had been in poor health for an extended period, died in the early hours of Friday.

    Straker was the last surviving original founding member of the Merrymen Trio, the group he co-established in 1962 alongside fellow musicians Robin Hunte and Chris Gibbs, which would later become widely known simply as The Merrymen. His death prompted an outpouring of tribute from across the country, including from the political group Friends of Democracy (FOD), which honored his decades-long legacy of shaping Barbadian cultural identity.

    In an official statement released to the public, Ricky Williams, FOD’s spokesperson for sports and culture, celebrated Straker as a towering figure in Caribbean music whose work left an indelible mark on generations of listeners both at home and abroad. Over his decades-long career, Straker wrote and performed dozens of chart-topping hits, the most famous of which is the global fan favorite “Big Bamboo”. Williams confirmed that the track earned unprecedented international acclaim for Barbadian music, holding the number one position on multiple European music charts for 18 straight weeks.

    A defining feature of Straker’s artistry was his instantly recognizable vocal style, and his commitment to centering Bajan culture in the group’s work. A key innovation he brought to The Merrymen’s song catalog was integrating the traditional pennywhistle into their arrangements, reimagining the instrument to fit distinctly Barbadian musical styles. Beyond his crossover hit, Straker crafted many tracks that celebrated local life and Barbadian heritage, including fan favorites such as *Beautiful Barbados*, *Nutseller*, and *Gary Sobers*.

    Williams also highlighted how The Merrymen broke new ground for Caribbean culture on the global stage, booking performances at some of the world’s most iconic and prestigious performance venues. These included New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden, and two of London’s most celebrated cultural spaces: the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. The group’s trailblazing global tour culminated in a landmark performance as the half-time entertainment at Super Bowl XIII in 1979, one of the most-watched sporting events in the United States at that time. Playing for a live stadium audience of 80,000 people, the band introduced Barbados’ unique indigenous folk music to millions of television viewers tuning in from across the globe.

    “In passing of this giant, we have been left with an irreplaceable vacuum,” Williams said in his statement. “Sir Charles will be deeply missed by all who loved his music and the work he did for our country. On behalf of Friends of Democracy, we extend our deepest condolences to Sir Charles Emile Straker’s family and loved ones at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”

  • DLP urges students, parents to stay focused after 11-Plus

    DLP urges students, parents to stay focused after 11-Plus

    As thousands of young students across Barbados wrap up the Common Entrance Examination and prepare to transition into secondary education, the island’s opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has released a comprehensive message framing this milestone not as a final destination, but as the opening of a critical new educational journey. Quincy Jones, the DLP’s spokesperson on education, led the party’s outreach, starting with public recognition for the resilience young learners demonstrated throughout the stressful examination preparation and assessment period.

    Jones emphasized that the shift to secondary education marks the beginning of a transformative life chapter, packed with unique growth opportunities and formative new challenges, regardless of whether students earned a spot at their top-choice institution. “Whether you achieved your first choice or not, you should be proud of the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that brought you to this moment,” Jones stated in his address. “This examination is simply one step along the path of your education and personal growth. As you prepare to enter secondary school, a world of new possibilities awaits you. You will experience new schools, new opportunities, new subjects, new teachers, new friends and yes, new obstacles.”

    For incoming first-form students, Jones highlighted that the secondary school experience serves as a foundational platform to unearth hidden talents, refine core life skills, and build the capabilities needed for long-term success. He urged students to seize every opportunity available to them during their secondary education, from rigorous academic coursework to extracurricular engagement. “You will discover talents you never knew you had, develop skills that will shape your future, and build memories that will last a lifetime,” he added. “Secondary education is a chance to challenge yourself academically, participate in sports, culture, clubs, and community service, and develop the confidence that will help you become the leaders of tomorrow.”

    Turning his attention to parents, guardians and school communities across the country, Jones noted that parental responsibility grows significantly as students enter adolescence, crediting families for the sacrifices they have already made to support their children’s learning while stressing that ongoing, daily engagement remains non-negotiable through the secondary years. The DLP holds that consistent, intentional parental involvement is one of the most critical determinants of student success during secondary education, and has laid out a clear structured framework for families to follow. This includes regular participation in Parent-Teacher Association activities, attendance at scheduled parent-teacher conferences, and individual check-ins with form teachers and subject instructors at least twice per academic term.

    Jones also highlighted the importance of attending school orientation and year-level kickoff events, consistent monitoring of student homework completion and attendance, and ongoing reinforcement of positive behaviour, personal discipline and mutual respect at home. Beyond family action, the DLP is calling for deeper, more intentional collaboration between school administrations and household communities across Barbados, proposing a slate of targeted initiatives designed to strengthen the home-classroom partnership.

    These proposals include peer parent mentorship programs that allow adults to share professional expertise and life lessons with students, structured parent learning circles to collaboratively address common educational challenges, and family-focused literacy and reading nights to build a stronger culture of continuous learning in the home. The party also suggested expanding parent volunteer networks to support school sports and arts programming, leveraging modern digital communication platforms to keep parents updated on school activities and student progress in real time, and hosting regular appreciation events to recognize the valuable contributions parents make to school life.

    Closing his address, Jones expressed the DLP’s collective pride in Barbados’ young generation, reiterating that the island’s youth are the core of the nation’s long-term development. He encouraged incoming secondary students to approach this new chapter with confidence, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence. “Embrace this next chapter with confidence, curiosity, and determination,” Jones said. “Believe in yourselves, work hard, treat others with kindness, and never stop striving for excellence. The future of Barbados is sitting in classrooms across this nation today. We are proud of you, we believe in you, and we look forward to witnessing all that you will achieve.”

  • Candidate numbers decline continues as access accommodations reach record high

    Candidate numbers decline continues as access accommodations reach record high

    Barbados’ Ministry of Education Transformation has confirmed a landmark shift in the nation’s primary to secondary school transition system, officially announcing that the traditional Common Entrance Examination will be phased out starting this September, replaced by a two-year continuous assessment framework designed to prioritize holistic student development over a single high-stakes test.

    Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman made the announcement official Monday alongside the release of 2026’s final Common Entrance Examination results, framing the policy change as the cornerstone of a multi-year national education overhaul focused on advancing equity, fairness, and a purpose-driven national curriculum. The change is timed to coincide with two major national milestones: the 60th anniversary of Barbados’ independence and the fifth anniversary of its transition to a republic, making the 2026 academic year a symbolic turning point for the country’s education system.

    Blackman acknowledged the deep historical roots of the Common Entrance Examination in Barbados’ education landscape, but argued that the one-day, high-stakes model no longer serves the nation’s students. “I understand the historical significance that a Common Entrance [Exam] has played in Barbados, and this is no different today,” he said. “But it must not determine how people are viewed; it must not determine a person’s self-worth. It must determine, however, your ability to move forward and to help build and shape this nation.”

    Under the new continuous assessment model, student progress will be tracked over two full years of primary school, measuring both core academic performance and a range of non-traditional soft and practical skills that the old exam failed to capture. The core goal of the restructuring is to shift the primary to secondary transition focus from a single day’s performance to long-term holistic student growth. All secondary school principals and senior leadership teams have been ordered to fully restructure their incoming student entry and orientation programs to align with the new framework, with Blackman calling on education leaders to reimagine what a supportive, student-centered transition looks like.

    “Every child going into secondary school from September must feel that I am going to a school that understands my purpose, understands where I want to go in life,” Blackman said, adding that the changes will also standardize education quality across all Barbadian secondary schools, mandating a consistent high baseline for school morale, learning environment, and teaching capacity regardless of a school’s historical reputation or prestige.

    Alongside the policy announcement, the ministry released full statistical data for the 2026 Common Entrance Examination, the last cohort to sit the traditional test. Administered on May 5 across 21 public secondary schools, the 2026 exam drew 2,764 registered candidates from 67 public primary schools, 28 private primary schools, and seven homeschooled students. The data confirms a continuing trend of declining student enrollment across Barbados: this year’s candidate total is 60 students lower than 2025, and a 6.1 percent drop (169 fewer candidates) from 2024’s total of 2,933.

    Despite falling overall candidate numbers, the ministry reported a record high in accessibility accommodations for students with learning and physical needs, marking a steady upward trend in inclusive access provisions. A total of 240 special accommodation requests were approved this year, up from 194 in 2025 and 183 in 2024. Accommodations include large-print test booklets, assigned scribes, and dedicated readers to support eligible students. The ministry also approved 15 early sitting candidates – 11 male and four female – students under the age of 11 who hold a minimum 85 percent average in both mathematics and language arts across Classes Two and Three, as required by the Education Act. Blackman framed the expanded accommodations and early sitting approvals as “inclusion in practice.”

    To support the phased rollout of the new continuous assessment model, the ministry has already rolled out a series of infrastructure, technology, and training upgrades across the nation’s primary schools. All students in Infants B and Class One have been issued dedicated learning tablets, while teachers have received targeted training and additional device allocations to integrate digital learning tools into daily instruction. A nationwide school refurbishment drive led to the temporary closure of 13 primary schools on June 12 to complete structural extensions and facility upgrades, which Blackman defended as a necessary short-term disruption to build the infrastructure required for modern, student-centered learning.

    “As we move forward, we must ensure that we have the ability not just to have training for our teachers, but the infrastructure is the place of course that serves to allow our children, our teachers, our principals to be in an environment where they can thrive,” he explained.

    The resource upgrades are paired with new external quality assurance measures, launched after a successful pilot in May 2025. Panels of education officers, principals, and specialist trainers now conduct structured, formal school visits to set and enforce consistent national benchmarks for classroom instruction and institutional leadership. To support families navigating the education system changes, the ministry also launched a national parent education program on May 4, offering workshops on positive parenting, caregiver-student communication, and behavioral management strategies.

    Closing his address, Blackman congratulated the 2026 candidate cohort and sought to reassure parents and educators that the ministry remains fully committed to building a modern, inclusive education system that recognizes the full spectrum of student achievement. “The ministry is preparing to usher in a system which better recognises and facilitates the achievements and progress of all of our students,” he said. “I offer congratulations to all students who sat the examination this year, and this is, of course, only another leg in your life’s journey. You will have many other opportunities to achieve on this road of success.”

  • St Gabriel’s claims top boy, girl in Common Entrance

    St Gabriel’s claims top boy, girl in Common Entrance

    Barbados’ private St Gabriel’s School has made history this examination cycle, becoming the first institution in the island’s education system to claim both the top male and top female positions in the annual Common Entrance Examination. This unprecedented double triumph has cemented the school’s long-standing reputation for academic excellence, while opening new conversations around ongoing national education reform efforts.

    Benjamin Enzo Luciene earned the title of the nation’s highest-scoring male candidate, and Xiomara Alexis Lascaris secured the top position for female students. In a further milestone for the two high achievers, both have already been accepted to study at Harrison College, one of the country’s most prestigious secondary institutions, where they will begin their post-primary education this coming September. At the time of the official results announcement, no public data was released on how government-funded public schools performed in terms of overall placement rates or distribution of top scores across institutions.

    Chad Blackman, Barbados’ Minister of Education Transformation, officially announced the results and extended warm congratulations to all participating students across the country, highlighting the extraordinary achievement of Luciene and Lascaris in particular. Blackman reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to advancing comprehensive systemic reform in the national education sector, while framing the current results within the context of a planned long-term shift away from the high-stakes standardized testing model that the Common Entrance Examination represents.

    Blackman acknowledged that the examination has occupied a central role in the island’s education culture and national identity for decades. “This examination throughout the years has been an important part of our national psyche in terms of education,” he said. “That’s why I’m so excited about the future of that transition: it is going to be one that is based on equity and is one that is based on ensuring that we tap into the broad skill sets that our children have, and therefore not focused on a one-shot exam.”

    Celebrations erupted across the St Gabriel’s campus immediately after the results were made public, with jubilant cheers from students, faculty and parents echoing through school corridors. St Gabriel’s Principal Alexina Chandler shared in an interview that the school placed a total of four students in the national top 10, an achievement she called deeply rewarding for the entire school community.

    “We are so proud of them, over the moon,” Chandler said. “I mean, it’s not a total surprise because they’ve all worked very hard, but we’re very pleased, very pleased. We’ve had top students before, but not both. I’m not sure how many schools have had both, so that would be interesting to look into. I know they’ve worked extremely hard, and they’re focused children, lovely children. We also have two others in the top ten as well. I’m very proud of all of them.”

    Chandler explained that the school’s consistent strong performance stems from a deliberate approach to building academic and personal foundations starting in early childhood education, rather than cramming focused preparation only in a student’s final primary year. She noted that the modern teaching frameworks the Ministry of Education Transformation currently promotes nationwide have already been core to St Gabriel’s curriculum for decades.

    “The students work very hard, obviously the teachers as well, but it doesn’t just start in Class 4. It starts in the foundation years from nursery and reception onwards. We build that foundation. The ministry is talking about play-based learning; we already have that in place for many, many years, and then the children build on that,” she explained. “Even in Class 4, they continue with the other subject areas, so we will have well-rounded, confident students. So a lot of hard work from the students, the teachers, and the parents, their support as well.”

    Addressing the ministry’s push for systemic education reform that prioritizes holistic development over rote testing, Chandler added that St Gabriel’s has long balanced targeted exam preparation with investment in soft skills and well-rounded growth. For example, the school introduces test-taking strategies, time management and problem-solving skills as early as Class 3, helping students build confidence without sacrificing broader learning. Project-based learning, another reform priority, is already a core component of the school’s infant department, with plans to expand the model further to align with the ministry’s new guidelines.

    “It’s not just about mathematics and English for us; it is well-rounded students who, you know, [have] those soft skills … as well, project-based. We already have that going in our infant department. It’s now to extend more to the juniors in terms of what the ministry is looking at,” she said.

    As Luciene and Lascaris prepare for their move to Harrison College, Chandler expressed full confidence that the foundational, holistic education they received at St Gabriel’s will support them through the next stage of their academic journeys. She emphasized that the historic double win is not a one-off anomaly, but a reflection of the school’s long-held institutional culture and educational philosophy.

    “It sums up what we try to do at St Gabriel’s in a lovely way. It is not a surprise, as I said, everyone worked really hard and was focused. And so this is not an anomaly. This is not by accident. This is part of what we do at St Gabriel’s,” Chandler noted.

    Founded in 1947 at the request of the then Anglican Bishop of Barbados, William James Hughes, St Gabriel’s originally opened with just 28 students between the ages of four and eight, and was initially run primarily by teaching sisters from the Convent of Jesus the Good Shepherd based in England. The school later expanded to offer primary through O-level secondary education, before closing its secondary section in 1975 to consolidate as an Anglican denominational primary school under the Diocese of Barbados. Today, it operates with a Christian foundational ethos while serving a multi-faith student body.