STUDENTS at a number of primary schools around the island should, by the end of this school term, have a greater appreciation of Barbadian products and services.

This is because the 100% Bajan campaign, through its primary school programme, will be continuing its relentless effort to sensitise young children to the importance of supporting locally made products and services.

Co-ordinator of the programme, Claire Sargeant, said they have been targeting the primary schools for just over two years and it has reaped rewards.

"The response to the programme at those schools visited so far has been fantastic," she said. "What we are bringing to these children is something not found on the normal school curriculum and more often than not they are surprised and delighted to learn about the many items produced in Barbados.

"It gives them a sense of pride to know we make so many of the top quality products which they use," she added.

Antoine Williams, champion of the primary schools programme, and Sargeant have already visited all primary schools in the northern section of the island: that is, St Lucy, St Peter and St Andrew; central Barbados: St Thomas, and St George; as well as Christ Church – where the programme began in March 2004.

These schools have also had the benefit of visits from people involved in local manufacturing, agricultural and small business sectors who have not only introduced their products but also explained to the students why they should support Barbadian manufactured items and support the services of entrepreneurs.

In addition to visiting the schools, the 100% Bajan campaign has also arranged tours to various manufacturing companies, including BICO, so the children could have a first-hand view of the manufacturing processes.

As a result of the programme, some schools adopted themes which placed emphasis on Barbadian products – for instance, St Jude's Primary adopted the theme: I Am 100% Bajan during the first term where they dedicated a wall to the display of the products. Students were encouraged to contribute used wrappers or containers of locally manufactured goods for the display.

Sargeant explained that with market forces stacked against most of the local manufacturers, it was only through greater support from Barbadians that the companies would survive the impact of globalisation.

"We have to teach this young group, who in a few short years will be controlling the economic wealth in the country, that an item carrying a 100% Bajan logo is of the highest quality and therefore not inferior," she said.

"We have to get the children away from the mindset that an artificial drink produced elsewhere is better than our mauby or golden apple juice," she added.

This phase of the programme will see the completion of those schools in easterly Barbados. The team has already visited schools in St Joseph, and St John is near to completion. After which, they will proceed to St Philip.

According to Williams: "By the end of this programme all eight-to eleven-year-old primary school students should not only know about the 100% Bajan campaign, but about aspects of Barbados' manufacturing, agricultural, tourism, cultural and service sectors . . . all vital to the future growth of the country." (PR/TS)