标签： Barbados

The vibrant atmosphere at St Giles Primary School was palpable as students, adorned in crisp uniforms, practiced their drills with precision and enthusiasm. The Mini Independence Parade, scheduled for November 21, is more than just a display of marching skills—it’s a celebration of teamwork, discipline, and national pride. Under the guidance of Lyndon Alkins, the school’s guard and trainer of the Colour Party, the students are honing their abilities to embody these values. This year’s Colour Party includes members of the Cub Scouts and Brownies, all taking their roles with utmost seriousness. Alkins, who has been training the group since 2018, expressed pride in their progress, noting that the students are preparing for a principal salute and will be dressed in their Scouts and Brownies uniforms. The parade’s commanding officer will be a young lady leading the group. The preparations have sparked excitement across the school, with nearly half of the students participating in various roles. As Literacy Week activities continue at the Ivy, St Michael school, the pupils are learning invaluable lessons that extend beyond the classroom. On November 21, the school grounds will transform into a vibrant celebration of Barbados’ spirit, with flags raised high and the rhythmic march of St Giles pupils echoing the nation’s independence.

An 86-year-old resident of Christ Church, Brian Chester, has been rendered homeless after High Court marshals demolished the house he had occupied for 30 years. Chester, represented by attorney Lalu Hanuman, had sought to purchase the land under the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act, a 1979 law designed to enable former plantation tenants to own the land they occupied. Despite his urgent application to the High Court for a stay of the eviction and demolition order, Justice Patrick Wells rejected the request, leading to the destruction of Chester’s home on Wednesday, earlier than the scheduled Friday. Chester is now staying with a friend. The legal battle involved a US-based landowner, Barry Clarke, represented by attorney Branford McGline Taitt, the Chief Marshal, and the Attorney General. Chester claimed that the landlord had violated the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act by failing to facilitate his purchase of the land since his application in June 2016. He also sought reimbursement for land rent paid since then. Chester argued that the absence of a Small Holdings Committee, which should handle such disputes, contributed to the unresolved matter. He requested the court to declare the land conveyed to him, reimburse his ground rent, and find the Attorney General negligent for failing to establish the committee.

Faith leaders have raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of fatherless households and family breakdowns across the Caribbean, attributing the trend to shifting social attitudes, women’s growing independence, and the erosion of traditional family values. Speaking at a press conference hosted by the faith-based organization Family Faith Freedom Barbados (FFFB) at the First Baptist Church, religious figures highlighted the complex interplay between social progress and its unintended consequences on family dynamics.

Mikhail Raschid Bradshaw, a 29-year-old resident of Workmans, St George, has been remanded to Dodds Prison after a brief court appearance in Bridgetown on Thursday. Bradshaw appeared before Magistrate Manila Renee in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, where he faced charges related to the murder of 31-year-old Akil Hinds on October 6. Notably, Bradshaw was not required to enter a plea during this initial hearing. In addition to the murder charge, he is also accused of using a firearm to commit the indictable offense. The case has since been transferred to the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, with proceedings set to resume on November 24. Bradshaw was represented by attorney Sian Lange during the hearing.

At the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, Barbados reiterated its dedication to fostering fairness, inclusion, and decent work. Minister of Labour, Social Security, and Third Sector, Colin Jordan, delivered the nation’s statement, emphasizing that progress is a deliberate effort achieved through collective learning, work, participation, and a sense of belonging. Jordan endorsed the Doha Political Declaration, which expands on the 1995 Copenhagen Summit’s vision by integrating poverty eradication, full employment, and social inclusion as interconnected objectives. He spotlighted Barbados’ Social Partnership, a collaborative framework involving the government, trade unions, and employers, which has driven significant policy advancements. These include the introduction of a national minimum wage in 2021 and enhanced worker protections through government programs and procurement. The minister also detailed recent legislative reforms, such as the Child Protection Act 2024, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, and initiatives supporting families, including paid paternity leave and extended maternity leave. Additionally, Barbados has prioritized elder rights through the National Policy on Ageing 2023–2028 and new care legislation. Jordan cautioned that these achievements are threatened by global instability and conflict, urging a revitalization of the multilateral system. He also highlighted the climate crisis as a pressing reality for Caribbean nations, supporting Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s Bridgetown Initiative to reform international financial structures. Concluding his address, Jordan reaffirmed Barbados’ commitment to human dignity and social justice, stating, ‘We recommit to a human-centred approach to development.’

More than 300 construction workers employed by C.O. Williams in Barbados have initiated a strike following the collapse of pay negotiations with management. The protest, organized by the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), began early Thursday morning at the company’s Lears, St Michael base. The workers rejected the company’s latest wage proposal, prompting union intervention and escalating the matter to the government’s chief labour officer.

A prominent pastor has called on the government to reassess its approach to population growth, emphasizing that merely urging citizens to “have more children” could exacerbate social and economic challenges without robust family, adoption, and moral support policies. Speaking at a press conference organized by Family Faith Freedom Barbados at the First Baptist Church on Constitution Road, Pastor Paul Leacock highlighted the need to focus on raising responsible citizens rather than simply increasing population numbers.

Leacock acknowledged the government’s desire to boost the island’s population but cautioned against irresponsible messaging. “Encouraging young parents to raise the population is valid, but simply saying ‘have children to repopulate the nation’ is inadequate. We need individuals who are raised as responsible citizens—people with strong moral values and the ability to contribute to the country’s sustainability,” he stated.

One critical area requiring immediate reform, according to Leacock, is adoption. He described the current adoption policies as “weak and ill-defined,” urging a comprehensive review. “If a parent cannot support another child, there are willing individuals ready to provide care. Strengthening adoption policies could alleviate pressures that lead some women to consider abortion,” he explained.

Leacock also proposed practical incentives, such as tax breaks for families, to support population growth. “From an economic standpoint, the government could offer tax credits for families with children or reduce taxes for parents. These measures are feasible and impactful,” he said, adding that support for marriage and stable households should be integral to long-term population planning.

The pastor underscored the moral and economic implications of an ageing society with a shrinking working-age population. “A large geriatric population without sufficient youth to sustain it will strain both the social system and the church. We must educate our youth and care for our elders,” he emphasized.

Leacock highlighted the church’s role in elder care, stressing that it cannot abandon vulnerable members even when families do. “Pastors must ensure elderly members are cared for, not neglected. If families abandon them, the church must step in,” he said.

Additionally, Leacock urged the government to reconsider its stance on publicly funded abortions, linking the issue directly to population sustainability. “We cannot solve our population challenges by ending the lives of others. Let’s prioritize preserving life,” he argued.

In conclusion, Leacock expressed his organization’s vision for a “sustainable Barbados—both morally and economically,” calling for a holistic approach to population growth that addresses societal and ethical dimensions.

In a significant move to transform the education system, Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw announced on Thursday a sweeping overhaul of school curricula and textbooks. This initiative, part of a broader education reform agenda, aims to enhance teaching quality, support families, and improve literacy and numeracy among students. The announcement was made during the opening of a teachers’ workshop focused on improving mathematics instruction at the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre. Dr. Bradshaw emphasized that the review seeks to ensure students receive support not only in schools but also at home. As part of this transformation, the Ministry of Education has already begun rationalizing textbooks used in primary and secondary schools, with details on approved materials to be released shortly. Additionally, a parent education programme is being introduced to equip parents with resources to assist their children with schoolwork. This programme will include instructional videos on challenging mathematical concepts, such as fractions, accessible via the Ministry of Educational Transformation’s website. Dr. Bradshaw highlighted the interconnectedness of literacy and numeracy, stressing that strong reading skills are crucial for effective problem-solving in mathematics. To bolster literacy, the ministry has trained over 311 teachers in specialized programmes like Lindamood-Bell Seeing Stars and Snappy Sounds. From September, a daily reading period has been introduced in schools, with the ministry collaborating with the National Library Service to promote reading as a national movement. Dr. Bradshaw reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring all students can read by the age of seven by 2026, expressing confidence in achieving this goal.