It is the 20th annual Schools Industrial Arts, Craft And Technology Exhibition/Competition and although there are fewer entries this year, the standard is high.

"The standards have always been good, people bring their exhibits here hoping to win a trophy. What has changed over the years is the way the exhibition has expanded.

It started out as a woodwork competition but now it covers all industrial art areas and craft, no art but textiles," said education officer Glyne Drakes in an interview on Wednesday ahead of the judging.

Twelve schools were invited to participate this year and in addition to the TVET Council's assistance, Steve's Building Works contibuted $1 000 for the community prize and the Barbados Investment Development Corporation made donations as well, Drakes said.

There is a new category this year – construction on site – which Drakes said was the erecting of concrete blocks, building doors and door jambs and cupboards.

The education official also said that the ministry, having mandated "a certain amount of time for industrial arts", has placed "the emphasis that they believe is adequate at this time and increased emphasis is being placed on it through the teaching of pre-vocational programmes" where students are learning construction and other skills in schools.

Ten judges looked for the creativity, originality, workmanship, practicality, quality, and design features in the categories of woodwork, craft design and technology/technology education, metals, handicrafts, electronics, drawing design and graphic arts and the community project.

The winners will be announced this morning and Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, Ronald Jones will present the trophies after touring the exhibition. (DS)