The CSEC and CAPE results are back, and the usual responses have been flowing quite freely. These have been coming from the Ministry of Education, CXC officials and the self-proclaimed experts as well as people who have an acute interest in such things.
As we listen, we hear the old familiar words in relation to most schools like, “disappointing, not as good as expected and below standard.” Year after year this is a Caribbean cry ad nauseam. My focus, however, will be projecting a solution for the Barbadian system.
Just a few years ago, I was given the distinct honour of being engaged by UNICEF to present a strategic plan for education to the teachers in Antigua. I will couple this experience with my genuine care and commitment to education in Barbados to give structured advice to our Ministry of Education.
We cannot trot merrily along doing the same thing over and over that benefits only a select few (schools and individuals). There is too large an annual expenditure in education for us not to expect better outcomes. True and professional accountability demands it.
I advise that we should begin a process by establishing a clear pedagogically and economically supported and well-defined end result. Know where you plan on going and in what time frame before you begin the journey. To the ministry, I recommend a five-year strategic plan.
With an established time frame, there must then be a well-informed determination of what we see as worthy, achievable and developmentally sound outcomes. This should be done by having an honest SWOT analysis. It is here that truth must be told and egos sidelined.
What is good and necessary for ensuring outcomes must be paramount. We must be strategic or we will invariably be tactical and continually responding to what has gone before. Hence, as is the current situation, we will always be playing catch-up or the veritable game of hopscotch.
The team that should address the SWOT analysis must also be strategically chosen. It must include individuals who have a vested interest in the forward movement of education. The inputs and the informed debates must be knowledge based.
Hence, I recommend a team of Ministry officials from diverse units, specially selected secondary school principals (to represent the “different types” of schools at this level), representatives from the Association of Primary School Principals, Erdiston and the teachers’ unions.
Additionally, I suggest the future focused nature of the plan must incorporate representatives from the business community (BEC and Chamber of Commerce), United Youth Leaders of Barbados (this includes school leaders and other youth leaders).
This broad-based team should provide adequate intellectual and professional skills and knowledge to drive the process. The next step should be to identify the specific issues that must be addressed to structure a workable and appropriately aligned strategic plan.
Quantitative and qualitative statistics should be analysed to give a well-informed picture of what are the honest strengths and weaknesses of the Barbadian educational system, minus the hype and the ego massaging.
The different stages of education, the instructional and assessment methods, teacher competence and training as well as partnership building with non-school agencies will guide the process in determining available opportunities for growth, improvement and development.
With these areas addressed, clear, achievable and timed targets can be agreed upon. This is only the beginning, but strategic planning is a must. Next week I will continue giving my advice on the process.
Jeff Broomes is an experienced educator, principal and community organiser
who also served as vice president of the BCA and director of the WICB.
Email: unclejeff2@hotmail.com
