$40 million boost for education

Government is planning a $40 million shake-up of the education system to be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

It will include major curriculum reform, upgrading the physical and digital infrastructure of at least ten primary schools, special needs students being integrated into regular classrooms, increased professional development for teachers and principals, and the creation of new digital and printed textbooks.

There are also plans to adapt assessments and examinations for primary school students in Classes 1, 3 and 4, with Government having announced it will abolish the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination, also known as the Common Entrance or 11-Plus Exam.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley told the recent St Philip Speaks town hall forum that she will be meeting with the Ministry of Education after Crop Over to discuss recommendations on education reform. This included the future of the Common Entrance. (SC)

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