Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley; Cultural Ambassador, Dr. Anthony “Gabby” Carter; and Minister of Education, Santia Bradshaw, with students of the Daryll Jordan Secondary School at the launch of the Million Trees for 2020 Project. (C. Pitt/BGIS)

The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has committed to improving agricultural projects across the school system, starting at the primary level.

Minister of Education, Santia Bradshaw, made the assertion during the launch of the Million Trees for 2020 Project by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley at the Daryll Jordan Secondary School, last Friday.  

She told students that the start of the project signalled a “very significant day” in the history of Barbados and the Trents, St. Lucy school. 

She said she hoped it would create a national consciousness in the hearts and minds of every Barbadian child.

“I hope this is planted in your minds, as this generation witnessing this event because in another couple years, it is going to be very significant to see how may trees you have planted; how many people you have inspired and what you are doing to put Barbados on the map.

“We will continue to improve the agricultural science projects across our schools, starting at the primary level because if we don’t start at the primary level we are going to lose the ability to be able to have this type of continuity.  So, it is critical that at primary schools, persons get involved in agriculture and have a better understanding of who we are, and where we need to be in terms of claiming our space in the global community,” Ms. Bradshaw opined.

The Education Minister also told students at the launch that the initiative presented an opportunity for them to be “part of the change we want to see in this country” not only in terms of planting trees, but by also seeing themselves as future leaders.

 “We don’t know from among you who will become the next top agricultural scientist.  We don’t know who amongst you will be able to create an invention from the same soursop or the same Bajan cherry tree.

“Those are the things that this exercise is intended to do; to inspire you to think beyond the planting of a tree.  Many of you do a little bit of science; you do a little bit of agriculture; it is now the time for you to start to think about how you can use the knowledge you have to be able to give back not just to your community, but to the region and to the rest of the world,” Ms. Bradshaw urged.

melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb

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