With the Barbados School Nutrition Policy set to roll out from tomorrow, Tuesday, April 25, the official start of the third term for students, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, is remaining hopeful it will be successful.
This was conveyed today as she spoke to media representatives following a meeting with thousands of teachers from both private and public schools, at the Wildey Gymnasium.
The policy means that unhealthy foods have been banned and sweet drinks are out, while water and fruit are among the items schools will be seeing more of as Water Wednesdays and Fruit Fridays continue.
Dr. Archer-Bradshaw pointed out that the objective of the day’s meeting was to highlight the rationale behind the policy. She said it also outlined some of the health snacks, food and beverages that would be expected from tomorrow.
Stressing that she felt fairly encouraged as teachers “generally seemed to want to implement the policy”, she added: “We left here today with the intention of trying to see whether we can bring about the change that is necessary within our school food environment. So, I must say I am positive going into tomorrow that we will have some implementation of the school nutrition policy.
“As you are aware, it isn’t only the teachers that would have to help with the implementation. We want the parents and guardians to be on board as well. We had actually two sensitisation meetings with parents and guardians; so I’m hoping that they support us fully. Remember, it isn’t about not just having chips and other unhealthy foods, but it’s about having healthier foods like coconut water, water, … pretzels, healthy alternatives for children. The burden of non-communicable diseases on Barbados is too much right now and we have to take a stand with regard to what we allow within our schools.”
Questioned as to whether the policy becomes another duty on the part of teachers, Dr. Archer-Bradshaw stated: “It will be something else to monitor but it’s all part of what teachers are required to do. Teachers are required to make sure that the children are in environments that are socially, emotionally and of course physically safe. With regard to the school nutrition policy that would ensure that the children are eating healthily; that is part of safety as well. So, I know that some teachers may be a bit skeptical or concerned about that, but it’s just part of the duty. Each of our children matters. And that is the way that we usually go about our business, in any case.”
Commending teachers for the work they are doing, she reflected that the past three years had been very rough with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that she was aware they still had been putting in the work and would continue to do so when it comes to seeing positive results related to student outcomes.
The education official stated that she remained confident the responses from vendors would also be positive. Stressing it was only a policy, she said: “It isn’t a law. So, we’re going to use moral suasion. We’ve had several meetings with canteen concessionaires and vendors. The last meeting that we had, there were about 50 canteen concessionaires and vendors present and they seemed very excited to participate in this initiative. Of course, they had some concerns, but we were able to work through those concerns together. So, it is my hope that come tomorrow, we’ll have everybody on [ board] because this issue, with regard to non-communicable diseases, is real in Barbados. And we must have all hands on deck.”
She gave the undertaking that the sensitisation would continue and appealed to vendors outside of the schools to ‘think about our children’s health”.
“Think about what can happen in the next few years if we don’t act now. The money that you will make from selling snacks, unhealthy snacks and so on, yes, that will last you, but what will happen to the children to whom you’re selling. So, I want us to think further than our pocket right now? Think about the health of the country moving forward,” she said.
Reiterating the need for full participation by all, the Chief Education Officer stressed if we don’t take care of the health of our children, the country’s future would be affected. “In fact, there’s a quote that says if we don’t take care of our children’s wellness, we will have to take care of their illness. And, we choose now to take care of their wellness in the school,” she said.