The Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) is an important institution in building out the skills of our population, says Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ronald Jones.
The Minister stressed this on Monday while addressing the official presentation of furniture and equipment to the SJPP???s library.
The items were procured under the Government of Barbados (GOB)/Inter-American Development Bank???s (IDB) Skills For the Future (SFTF) Program.
Noting that the institution had been contributing to the overall development of Barbados since 1969, he said this was at times not generally recognised as it was sometimes taken for granted.??Praising SJPP for the technical skills and various competencies it had brought to the island???s development, Mr. Jones said this was unparalleled in our history.
???This is a learning institution in the area of technical and vocational training and development, and without its serious input, without its production of skilled Barbadians, we would not have been as far advanced in our infrastructural development and in other areas of vocational activities???
???So, I bow to the significant work of past leaders of the institution, those in governance, those in administration, those in pedagogy, those who have taught all of those persons who have passed through this institution, those who have created the policy framework for the institution to strive and to excel in its areas of activity,??? the former educator stated.
The rationale behind the presentation of the equipment and furniture was explained within the context of the SFTF Program supporting Government???s Human Resource Development Strategy (HRDS). The strategy, it was pointed out, also sought to improve the quality and relevance of secondary and post-secondary education, and the effectiveness of technical vocational, education and training (TVET).
The Education Minister noted that the program was also aimed at expanding opportunities for demand-driven training and skills certification by supporting the implementation of a National Qualifications Framework, which incorporates National Vocational Qualifications and Caribbean Vocational Qualifications, as well as international qualifications for occupations.
The donation falls under the SFTF???s Component Three, which deals with institutional strengthening and according to the Minister, the SJPP as one of the nation???s ???most revered post-secondary institutions??? was deserving of it, given its aim of providing quality competency-based education and training.
???In an effort to provide institutional strengthening to the SJPP, loan funds from the SFTF were utilised to finance and upgrade the institution???s library. The library of the SJPP supports learning within the pedagogical goals of the institution,??? he pointed out.
joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb