Senator Reverend Charles Morris has issued a stark warning that Barbados risks stagnating if the government fails to complete its promised transformation of the education system.
Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday during the debate on the Appropriation Bill 2025, Morris underscored the urgency of reform, asserting that “if this Barbados Labour Party government does not complete educational transformation in this country, it will never ever be achieved. And this country will be left behind, and our development will be retarded. Other countries not as advanced, I’m sure, will overtake us.”
The senator drew historical parallels, invoking the philosophy of Plato to critique the entrenched elitism within the education system. He argued that the legacy of hierarchical education, rooted in colonial structures, has persisted despite reforms. “Plato’s ghost still haunts our education system,” Morris said. “We talk about free education, but that, sir, is a noble lie . . .”
He pointed out that even after the introduction of free secondary education in the 1960s, access remained skewed in favour of the privileged.
“The reality was that when education was made free, only those who could pay were the ones who were freed up immediately,” he explained. “And we created a system of Plato’s elitism—a system that still persists today, where students must compete for places at elite schools through an examination system that disadvantages the less fortunate.”
Morris took aim at the Common Entrance Examination, arguing that it perpetuates inequality. “Every year, the newspapers will be filled with students who scored 98 or 100 per cent. But what about the child who gets 35 per cent? What happens to them?” he questioned.
He also criticised the current tertiary education framework, which he claimed had long been misrepresented as a creation of post-independence governments.
“Plato’s ghost existed with the University of the West Indies,” he argued. “People believe tertiary education was started by Mr. Barrow, but that is not true. The decision was made in 1938 by Grantley Adams, Norman Manley, and Eric Williams to establish a university college for the working class of the Caribbean.”
Addressing present-day concerns, Morris lamented bureaucratic inefficiencies that hinder teachers and students alike. He cited cases of teachers waiting years to be paid for acting positions and retirees struggling to access their benefits. “We have teachers who are acting in positions for five years without being paid,” he stated. “And retirees being told they already retired without ever signing a form.”
Morris also condemned the pressures placed on students due to the rise of private lessons outside of school hours, calling for an overhaul of the system to ensure teachers are properly supported and held accountable. “Some teachers prioritise private lessons over their duties in school. That is unacceptable,” he said.
Additionally, the senator raised concerns about inappropriate relationships between teachers and students, warning that such behaviour undermines the integrity of the education system and must be addressed through stricter oversight and enforcement. “We cannot allow a system where those entrusted with the care of students engage in relationships that breach ethical and professional standards,” he asserted. “There must be clear consequences for such misconduct.”
As the government moves ahead with its reform agenda, Morris cautioned that resistance is inevitable. “Every time there is an attempt to change something, there are armchair scholars who want to resist that change. But we must push ahead.”
He urged stakeholders — including teachers, parents, and policymakers — to actively participate in the reform process. “We have to transform this society. But teachers cannot work a system when they are frustrated. Parents must be involved. The ministry must be involved,” he insisted.
With nearly $500 million allocated to education in the 2025 budget, including close to $100 million for the University of the West Indies and approximately $200 million for secondary schools, Morris stressed that systemic change must be prioritised over superficial fixes. “If we do not see real reform, then we will have wasted this investment,” he warned.
(SZB)
The post Senator Morris: Education transformation crucial to Barbados’ future appeared first on Barbados Today.
