标签： Barbados

Joy Sharon’s life is a testament to the transformative power of education. Growing up in a household marred by domestic violence, she turned her personal struggles into a mission to empower children, particularly those with dyslexia, through literacy. Now an award-winning literacy advocate, Joy is reshaping the educational landscape in Barbados, ensuring every child has the tools to read, write, and thrive.

Amid growing concerns over youth violence, literacy specialist Joy Sharon has highlighted a critical yet overlooked factor: undiagnosed dyslexia. Speaking on Friday, Sharon emphasized the urgent need for research and reform, citing mounting evidence linking low literacy levels to criminal behavior. She warned that the failure to identify and support dyslexic youth is contributing to a troubling rise in youth offending.

Dyslexia, a lifelong language-based learning difficulty, affects reading, writing, and spelling due to challenges in processing language. It is unrelated to intelligence but involves difficulties in identifying speech sounds and their relation to words and letters. Symptoms often emerge when children start school, manifesting as struggles with reading fluency, poor spelling, and difficulty sounding out words.

Sharon pointed to international studies showing that nearly half of prison populations are dyslexic, with some U.S. research indicating that 47% of inmates have the condition. “There’s an over-representation of dyslexia in the prison system,” she noted, stressing that this connection is being ignored in Barbados. She criticized the lack of attention to dyslexia in schools, where children with the condition often go unsupported, leading to severe emotional and academic consequences.

Recent data from Barbados underscores the issue. A government study revealed that 95% of inmates convicted of violent crimes read at the level of a three-year-old. Cheryl Willoughby, director of the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, called for a reevaluation of the educational system to identify and support children with learning challenges early. “We need to have proper monitoring systems within our schools,” she said, advocating for early intervention and the inclusion of social workers to address these issues.

Superintendent of Prisons DeCarlo Payne highlighted a concerning trend of younger offenders entering Dodds Prison, with inmates as young as 15 or 16 committing increasingly violent crimes. In response, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams announced a reform agenda focused on rehabilitation through educational opportunities, extending these programs to prison officers as well.

Sharon urged schools to identify and support students with learning difficulties before they fall behind, emphasizing that early intervention is crucial not only for literacy but also for preventing long-term social consequences. “If you don’t know you have a learning challenge, you think there’s something wrong with you,” she said, stressing the impact on self-esteem and self-worth. Addressing dyslexia, she argued, is key to breaking the cycle of crime and incarceration.

In a world where change is inevitable, meaningful transformation requires more than mere chance—it demands strategic visioning. This disciplined process involves envisioning a preferred future and meticulously planning the steps to achieve it. At the national level, Barbados stands on the brink of significant change. Inspired by Singapore’s model of disciplined, long-term development, there is a growing consensus that Barbados can become the “Singapore of the Caribbean.” This vision, supported by both local residents and expatriates, is gaining traction in public discourse. While the journey will be gradual, it can be integrated into a rolling ten-year strategic plan, continuously refined and renewed annually. At the sector level, the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica underscores the importance of resilience and innovation. Discussions among industry leaders highlight the need for strategic partnerships to protect critical infrastructure, such as burying power lines to mitigate future storm damage. At the corporate level, strategic visioning necessitates collaboration between government and private enterprises to align national development goals with business opportunities. Visioning, as a guiding compass, requires passion, persistence, and patience at all levels. It is the key to achieving a sustainable and prosperous future, step by step, decade by decade. As President Obama aptly put it, “Just learn how to get stuff done.”

Since the dawn of the 21st century, the world has undergone profound economic and political transformations, reshaping global economies, societal structures, and labor markets. These shifts, often driven by the decisions of superpower nations, have ignited trade wars and intensified competition over critical resources such as land, oil, and minerals, fostering a new era of neocolonialism. Amid these changes, trade unions have faced scrutiny for their perceived silence on these pressing issues. While international trade union organizations have voiced concerns, the muted response from developing nations—many reliant on first-world support—raises questions about their ability to safeguard labor rights and employment gains. Critics argue that unions may be either hesitant to challenge powerful entities or disconnected from the global developments threatening workers’ welfare. The hostile legal and political environments in many countries, marked by anti-union legislation and measures criminalizing union activities, further complicate their efforts. Even in democratic nations, unions struggle to address global challenges effectively. The rise of the gig economy and non-standard employment has further eroded traditional union structures, making it increasingly difficult to organize fragmented and vulnerable worker groups. Declining membership, particularly among younger workers who view unions as outdated, has diminished their influence and public visibility. As the nature of work continues to evolve, trade unions must confront these mounting challenges to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

A Barbadian couple’s unconventional wedding in Scotland has turned into a significant boon for animal welfare charities in their home country. Jevan Jutagir, founder of Red Advertising & Marketing, and his bride, Danielle St-Pierre, tied the knot at the historic King’s College Chapel in Aberdeen, a venue with personal significance for Jutagir, a former University of Aberdeen Student Union president. The ceremony, attended by guests from Barbados, Trinidad, and Canada, featured traditional Scottish kilts but broke from tradition in one key aspect: instead of receiving conventional wedding gifts, the couple asked their guests to donate to two Barbados-based animal welfare organizations, Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary and Safe Cats of Barbados. The response was overwhelming, with donations totaling $15,000 (approximately £5,700). In a statement, Jutagir explained their decision, emphasizing their comfortable lifestyle and desire to channel their guests’ generosity toward a cause they deeply care about—animal welfare. The couple, who are passionate about animals and share their Barbados home with cats, tortoises, and even monkeys, highlighted the growing issue of unwanted pets and unchecked breeding in Barbados. They expressed hope that their initiative would inspire others to support these charities, which work tirelessly to rescue and rehome stray animals. The newlyweds described the donations as a meaningful start to their married life, thanking their guests for their generosity.

A cohort of 30 officers from the Barbados Police Service achieved a significant milestone in their careers on Friday, graduating from the Police International Middle Management Training Programme. This intensive two-week leadership course, conducted in collaboration with the Durham Constabulary from northeast England, aimed to enhance people-centered leadership within Barbados’ policing framework. The graduation ceremony took place at the Regional Police Training Centre (RPTC) in Seawell, marking the culmination of their rigorous training. Chief Inspector Kevin Salter, Head of UK and International Training with the Durham Constabulary, delivered a compelling address to the graduates, urging them to embrace their roles as agents of change. He emphasized the importance of applying their newfound knowledge to inspire and lead their teams effectively. Salter shared a poignant personal story about the profound impact of mentorship, recounting the story of a former colleague, Gavin Smith, whose gratitude for his guidance underscored the lasting influence of compassionate leadership. Superintendent Stephen Herbert also spoke at the event, highlighting the critical role of leadership in the sustainability and success of any organization. He stressed that honesty and integrity are indispensable qualities for effective leaders, as they build trust and confidence among their teams. The graduates were encouraged to return to their stations with a renewed commitment to driving positive change and upholding the highest standards of policing in Barbados.

Barbados has announced a temporary suspension of all exports of its indigenous Blackbelly sheep due to a severe decline in the population, as reported by Barbados TODAY. The Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) is spearheading efforts to revive a national registration scheme to address the crisis, with industry leaders emphasizing that no sheep can be spared for export until local numbers recover. Rommel Parris, President of Barbados Sheep Farmers Inc., confirmed the halt, citing critically low herd levels despite increasing regional demand. Parris revealed that he has repeatedly declined export requests from neighboring islands, including Antigua, Dominica, and Grenada, due to the dire state of Barbados’ sheep population. He expressed concern over the lack of quality breeding animals from Greenland Livestock Station, which has exacerbated the problem. The situation has been further complicated by dwindling interest among young people in sheep farming. Parris highlighted the urgent need to reintroduce a structured registration system to track and rebuild the national flock. The registration process, launched earlier this month, is being led by an internationally trained officer equipped with the necessary tools to assess sheep characteristics and growth. Parris emphasized that revitalizing the industry requires increased participation in sheep breeding, with a goal of encouraging five to six individuals annually to raise 20 sheep each. He expressed optimism that Barbados could eventually resume exports comfortably, drawing parallels to past successful export programs. The Barbados Blackbelly sheep remains globally respected for its resilience, adaptability, and high reproductive rates. The Ministry of Agriculture has also implemented training programs to educate farmers on best practices, further supporting recovery efforts.