The Ministry of Education Transformation is developing a globally recognised high school certificate from its new ocean and climate schools, entering partnership discussions with international organisations to offer the certificate, Minister Chad Blackman has announced.

With the Barbados Climate School under construction, its marine and coastal counterpart, the Oceania Innovation Hub, on Tuesday launched its second Blue X Accelerator programme, Blackman described the certification plan as part of the government’s wider push to prepare students for emerging opportunities in the blue economy and climate resilience.

He said: “This is a very bold and deliberate strategy of the Government of Barbados, as I said, to be able to help young people to be able to lead the world that they must inherit, and part of that leadership also must be to give them the tools to understand climate and ocean diplomacy.”