Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Kay McConney, believes that the infrastructure of schools must mirror relevant education and inclusive education, where a child’s learning environment influences his or her ability to thrive.
Ms. McConney expressed this view on Monday during her remarks at the awards ceremony for the Modern School Infrastructure Design competition, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
“As we prepare our children to successfully navigate a rapidly changing world with confidence, we recognise that what makes a difference is not only what we nurture within our children – their values, their knowledge, their skills, their habits and attitudes – but that the learning environment with which we surround them has a significant influence on how well they thrive. Environment influences outcomes and better outcomes for all learners is what we are aiming at,” she said
Referring to the designs, the Education Minister said the models are more than just brick and mortar but are about transforming spaces into dynamic hubs of collaboration, creativity, and innovation.
“Our redesigned spaces here in Barbados will be flexible and adaptable, promoting teamwork and critical thinking. Classrooms will support different group configurations, learning styles and, of course project-based learning. Collaborative areas will encourage students to brainstorm ideas, to solve problems together and to unleash their potential as future leaders and innovators,” she stated
Ms. McConney also noted that both resilience and sustainability underpin the Ministry’s vision for modern school infrastructure, especially since the country must face challenges of the climate crisis, and cleaner energy sources.
She added that consideration must be given to the environment, and the country must be water smart, saving and using water more responsibly in this time of relative scarcity.
“Our modern school buildings will incorporate their four eco-friendly designs and renewable energy sources, teaching our students the importance of environmental stewardship. By embracing sustainable practices, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also instill values that will resonate throughout the lives of our children and for us to prepare our students for the real world now and for the jobs of the future that will lift their lives and expand our economy,” she said.
The Education Minister stated that every school design, when used in detail, will consider needs of persons with disabilities as part of the mainstream, ensuring physical, social, and digital access.
She further explained that learning spaces will transition readily from indoor to outdoor and that there will be workshops and laboratories for the sciences, music, and home economics.
She said all school designs must meet the standards required to be designated as qualified testing centres for technical and vocational assessment, and agriculture, recreational facilities, and community use must all be incorporated to ensure not only well rounded students, but community access and full engagement.
“We have brought the vision of Barbadian architects into the design of our schools, and as we shift our weight from traditional to modern thinking, from traditional instructional approaches towards more modern approaches that meet our children, how they learn, and that greet our teachers with cutting edge instructional methods that are still emerging, as we shift that weight, our entire education system, from infrastructure to curriculum, to educators to structures to legislation, must be made ready to empower 21st century education.”
The Minister stressed that the commitment of the Government and the Ministry to excellence in education is unwavering, and said the awards ceremony is not just about unveiling new building models for schools but about investing in the country’s future.
“It is about equipping our students with the skills and the knowledge and the mindset to thrive in a world of endless possibilities. I want to thank all of the architects who participated in this competition, and I wish to give a hearty congratulations to those whose models have been selected …. Let us embrace this evolving era in education with optimism and determination in a way that will inspire generations to come,” she said.