The Ministry of Education Transformation

The Ministry of Education Transformation is primarily responsible for the formulation of educational policies, and the administration and regulation of education programmes. In 2013, the MEdT was also given responsibility for national policy and programme development for Science, technology, and innovation.

The Ministry is headed politically by the Minister of Education Transformation, Hon. Chad Blackman.

The Ministry of Education Transformation is headed at the administrative level by a Permanent Secretary and at the technical level by the Chief Education Officer. These officers are assisted by a Deputy Permanent Secretary, two Deputy Chief Education Officers and a cadre of staff at Ministry Headquarters.

Currently, the education system in Barbados caters to almost 60,000 students annually and across the system there are 136 institutions designed to cater to the diverse needs of the population.

In the context of globalisation and continued changes in information and communication technologies, the national philosophy will be to use education as a tool for national development. Education will therefore be promoted as a lifelong learning process, which seeks to produce outcomes that are culturally-based, technologically-driven, diverse and dynamic. This Ministry will also seek to inculcate in citizens an understanding of, and an appreciation for the rule of law. It is through education that individuals will be equipped with the tools necessary for the nation to continue growing as an all-embracing, cohesive society.

 

The various strategies employed by the Ministry will:

  1. Promote learning as a collaborative experience;
  2. Be responsive to the needs of all beneficiaries;
  3. Recognise the existence of multiple intelligences and abilities and ensure that these are addressed in the classroom;
  4. Accommodate and address the different learning styles of our students;
  5. Allow each student to develop at his/her own pace;
  6. Promote creativity among the youth, the building of self-esteem and confidence;
  7. Reinforce the cultural and spiritual values and behaviours necessary for a productive and wholesome society;
  8. Adopt a research-driven and consultative approach to the development of policy and programmes;
  9. Promote the holistic development of young people through the creation of an enabling environment that facilitates their self-actualisation.

This Ministry in conjunction with other governmental and non-governmental agencies will continue to utilise a multi-sectoral approach to the delivery of educational services to young people. The emphasis will continue to be placed on the identification of the needs of young people and the addressing of these needs through relevant programmes. 

Mission

  • To ensure quality education for all;
  • To provide a wide range of higher education and training opportunities to enable those best able to avail themselves of  those facilities to develop the professional.  Technical and other skills they can use to further their careers ad contribute to the development of the Barbadian economy and society;
  • To continue to formulate and implement effective policies on youth  development with the assistance of all stakeholders;
  • To produce citizens who are well-balanced, disciplined, industrious, creative, self-reliant persons who can think critically and function effectively in a modern society.

Goals

  • To ensure equitable access to quality education for all our citizens so that their potential is fully realized;
  • To assist in the development of responsible citizens who are disciplined, industrious, creative and confident and who can function effectively in a modern society.