Education ministry launches early childhood programme, school initiatives

Universal access to early childhood education was launched across Barbados on Monday as education officials also advanced a specialised secondary-school academy and year-round refurbishment programme as the new school year begins.

Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman, flanked by Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer Bradshaw, Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles, Permanent Secretary Kim Belle and other officials, toured several schools as hundreds of students returned from their summer break to begin the new school year.

While for many children, returning to school brought the familiarity of reuniting with school chums and teachers, for the youngest learners stepping into a classroom for the first time was an entirely new experience.