The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METVT) will be marking Education Month in October with a number of activities around the theme: Building Excellence in Education through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).
On Monday, October 1, the celebrations will get started with a church service at the Collymore Rock Church of the Nazarene, Collymore Rock, St. Michael, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Minister of Education, Santia Bradshaw, is expected to deliver remarks at the service, which will be attended by education officials.
The preliminary of the primary schools’ Mental Maths competition begins on Tuesday, October 2, at the Ministry, Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road, St. Michael, at 9:00 a.m. The finals will take place on Tuesday, October 30.
Students from primary and secondary schools will get to showcase their musical talents during a series of lunchtime concerts every Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. during the month.
The dates and venues are as follows: Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael – October 3; the Esplanade at Hastings Rocks, Christ Church – October 10; Emerald City, Six Cross Roads, St. Philip – October 17; Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, Holetown, St. James – October 24; and the Dome Mall, Warrens, St. Michael, on October 31.
On Thursday, October 4, fifth and sixth form students from public and private secondary schools are expected to gather at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed, The City, from 9:30 a.m. for the EduNation forum. Topics to be discussed include: What is STEAM and How Technology Can Be Used to Build Excellence in Education; The Importance of the Arts in Achieving Excellence Through STEAM and How STEAM Can Prepare Persons for the Labour Market and its Requirements. Two students – one each from Harrison College and Alexandra School will make presentations on the topic Student Benefits of STEAM in the Quest for Excellence.
The next day, Friday, October 5, starting at 9:30 a.m., the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited will host a seminar on Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the St. Lucy Parish Independence Committee, at the Daryll Jordan Secondary School, Trents, St. Lucy. It will target students undertaking the Food and Nutrition curriculum from 12 secondary schools. Education Officer with responsibility for Food and Nutrition, Hedda Phillips-Boyce, will make a presentation on healthy food options.
Additionally, the Ministry will host a Health and Wellness Hike on Sunday, October 7, starting at 4:00 p.m. Members of the public who are interested in participating should meet at the BRC Pavilion, Content, St. Thomas, before 4:00 p.m. Another hike is scheduled for Saturday, October 27, and will move off from the ‘old’ St. Joseph Parish Church, from 6:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 14, will be the official opening of the Education Exhibition & Expo at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference Centre (LESC), Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Members of the public may view exhibits by students in art and craft, as well as in technical and vocational areas such as furniture, cosmetology, jewellery and clothing, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. It will also showcase a number of initiatives of the Ministry from Early Childhood to Tertiary Education.
The Education Exhibition and Expo continues daily at the LESC on Monday, October 15, until Thursday, October 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The John Maxwell Global Youth Initiative, a motivational leadership initiative for students, will also kick off at LESC on Sunday, October 14. It will be held at the LESC from Monday, October 15, until Wednesday, October 17, from 9:30 a.m. to noon each day.
The Ministry will host a health fair on the grounds of the Elsie Payne Complex on Thursday, October 18. It is open to members of the public.
The annual Teachers’ Professional Day will be observed on Friday, October 19.
All schools will be closed on this day to allow teachers to participate in organised activities for professional development and the advancement of their institutions.
From Monday, October 22, to Friday, October 26, there will be open days for participating schools in the School Teacher Effectiveness Plans (STEPs) pilot project. The schools and opening times will be announced at a later date.
The Sixth International Conference on Higher Education will open at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Needham’s Point, St. Michael, on Sunday, October 28, from 5:00 p.m. The theme will be Modern Education and Economic Stimulation: Innovation, Praxis and Sustainability. It will continue from Monday, October 29, to Wednesday, October 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The conference’s primary objective is to showcase emerging local, regional and international research that can enhance policy and practice at all levels.
Finally, on Friday, November 2, there will be an unveiling of a “living art wall” or mural at the METVT, which will be painted by 12 students from 11 secondary schools, who will tell their story through art. This event will bring the curtain down on Education Month activities for 2018.
