The Ministry of Education Transformation has stepped up direct monitoring of school repairs and new builds ahead of the September reopening, with Minister Chad Blackman launching weekly site visits to track progress across dozens of campuses.

The visits come as the ministry advances school infrastructure projects outlined under its nearly $290m allocation for the 2026-27 financial year, including the refurbishment of 35 schools as part of the government’s education transformation agenda.

Blackman on Wednesday toured five schools within a two-mile radius: the new Barbados Climate School at Chelston Park, Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary, St Giles Nursery, Wilkie Cumberbatch School and Maria Holder Nursery at Government Hill, to assess progress on infrastructure works and preparations for the new school year.