The Education Department of the East Caribbean Conference

Teachers’ Qualifications

The table below describes the academic and professional qualifications of the forty teachers at the Bridgetown SDA Primary and the Barbados SDA secondary Schools.

Table 1

Teachers’ Qualifications

Qualifications No. of TeachersPhD 1Masters and Trained 6Bachelor Degree and Trained 25Bachelor Degree 1Associate Degree and Trained 6Associate Degree and Untrained

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Total 40

Notably, 18 (45%) of the 40 educators are Commissioned to the Teaching Ministry. Commissioned teachers are required to complete the SDA Certification courses, hold at least a Bachelor degree, be professionally trained in additional to other requirements of the Inter American Division.

In addition, nine fulltime and four part time ancillary employees support the school’s operations.

Enrollment

The graph in Figure 1 shows the Barbados SDA Secondary and the Bridgetown SDA Primary schools’ enrolment over a period of three years. Clearly, the enrolment has been challenged. The economic climate of the island has been cited as one of the major contributing factors that negatively impact the schools’ enrolment.

2 0 1 6 2 0 1 7 2 0 1 8

273

275

254

332

313

315

Chart TitlePrimary Secondary

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Figure 1 Comparative Enrollment at Bridgetown SDA Primary and Barbados SDA Secondary Schools

While the overall enrolment may be challenged, notably that the ratio of Seventh-day Adventist and Non-Seventh-day Adventist, has improved slightly at the secondary school in favour of Seventh-day Adventists. In 2016, the ratio was 58:42; 60:40 in 2017 and 62:38 in 2018.

2016 2017 2018

192 189 194

140124 121

Barbados SDA Secondary School SDA vs Non SDA Ratio

SDA Non SDA

Figure 2: Comparative ratio of SDA vs Non-SDA students’ population at the Barbados SDA Secondary School

The Bridgetown SDA Primary School continues to register a very high, yet slightly declining ratio of Seventh- day Adventists accordingly: 89:11 in 2016; 87:13 in 2017 and 86:14 in 2018.

2016 2017 2018

243 238219

30 36 35

Bridgetown SDA Primary school SDA vs Non SDA Ratio

SDA Non SDA

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Figure 3: Comparative ratio of SDA vs Non-SDA students’ population at the Bridgetown SDA Primary School

Baptisms

During the 2017/2018 Academic Year, 26 students demonstrated their acceptance of Jesus through baptism.

Baptismal Day scenes

Education Day

Seventh-day Adventist Education Day was celebrated on April 21, 2018. The Education Department along with Sister Hoyte, Women and Children Ministry Director, produced an Education Programme for Sabbath School entitled, “Get On Board the SDA Cruise Liner” for the churches and the Inter American Division sermon was circulated. A video highlighting the school’s achievement was also distributed by the department.

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Displays on Education Day

Back to School

A presentation, entitled Preparation, the Key to Success, was also produced for Back to School Day by the department, and was distributed to all Education secretaries.

Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examinations

The Bridgetown Seventh-day Adventist Primary School continues to perform creditably at the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examinations. This year Renee St. Johns emerged first among the early sitters in Barbados with an overall score of 237.28 and Grade A in Composition.

The Class of 2018 performance was satisfactory at the Barbados Secondary school Entrance Examinations. The records indicate that out of 39 entrants, 23 students scored above the National mean of 69, and 35 students scored above 50%. In Mathematics, 22 students scored above the National mean of 62 and 27 students attained 50% and above.

2018 Graduating Class of Bridgetown SDA Primary School

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CSEC Results

The Barbados SDA Secondary School also attained creditable results. The results show that the school attained an overall average of 86%. Ten of the 21 subjects attained 100% success, and six subjects ranked from 80-99 %. Only one subject scored below 63%. English students did exceptionally well. Of the 40 students who took the examinations, only one student did not meet the minimum requirements. The majority of the students attained either a Grade 1 or a Grade 2.

Accreditation

Barbados SDA Secondary school and Bridgetown SDA Primary Schools were accredited by the Inter American Division and the Caribbean Union Conference respectively. Each were granted an accreditation term of four out of a maximum of five years.

Bridgetown SDA Accreditation team headed by Tobago’s Education Director, Jamila Nichols

Principals’ workshop

The Principals, Miss Annette Alleyne and Mrs. Angela Skeete attended the Principals’ workshop in Trinidad in February 2018.

Sunset Concert

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The Bridgetown SDA Primary School hosted a sunset concert on May 6, 2018. The proceeds from the concert will go towards the installation of solar panels for the school.

Commissioning Service

On February 2018, sixteen teachers were commissioned to the Teaching Ministry. Officials from the Inter American Division, Caribbean Union Conference and East Caribbean Conference participated in the service

Commissioned Teachers

Caribbean Vocational Qualifications Programmes

One of the recent significant developments at the Barbados SDA Secondary School is the introduction of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification programme. The new programme caters for the mixed abilities and interest of the students. Among the courses offered are Barbering, Horticulture, Data Processing, Fabric Design, Commercial Food Preparation, and Furniture Making. The new building which is currently under construction will house the Barbering, Furniture Making and Technical drawing Classes.

The school now offers evening classes for CVQ classes as a means of increasing the school’s income.

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The school is grateful for the financial contribution of all stakeholders towards this landmark initiative, and look forward to their continued support to furnish the building.

CVQ building under construction

Financial Management Session

In response to the economic down turn of the economy, the Education Department organized a joint Home and School Association meeting of the Barbados SDA Secondary and Bridgetown SDA Primary Schools on March 20, 2018 to share ideas with the parents on how they can manage their limited financial resources. Pastor Roosevelt Haynes made a presentation which was followed by a panel discussion.

BIMEX Exhibition

Barbados SDA Secondary School participated in BIMEX Exhibition at Erskine Sandiford complex in May, 2018.

Projections

1. Construct a school hall for the Barbados SDA Secondary school in the near future.2. Extend the Bridgetown Primary school for the 2019/20 Academic year, to include a

classroom and special rooms. 3. Attend to the drainage challenge at the Barbados SDA Secondary School.4. Fully computerize the schools’ programmes and operation.5. Rebrand the schools’ product.

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