NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
The 1983 Education Act defines private schools (at primary and secondary level) and private educational institutions (including technical institutions, training centers, and teacher colleges) as those educational establishments that are provided and maintained by a person other than the national government. A “proprietor” in relation to a private school or private educational institution is defined as “any person who maintains that school or institution”. An assisted private educational institution is further defined as “any private educational institution that is in receipt of assistance under this Act”.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Barbados, most schools in primary education and secondary education are state schools (). But there are also privately run schools as well as some by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The previous HYPERLINK "https://mes.gov.bb/Welcome-Stamp/Barbados-Education-System.aspx"Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (2017) now Ministry of Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METI) indicates that there are 68 public primary schools and 27 private primary/mixed schools. At the secondary/high level, there are 22 public schools and 9 private secondary/mixed schools (Table 21). It is estimated that private primary school enrolment account (p.5) for only about 16% of the primary school population, and private secondary school enrolment (p. 12) accounts for 6% of the total secondary school enrolment. Compulsory education runs from age 5 to age 16. While there are no school fees at public primary schools, there are small book fees at all secondary schools since textbooks are subsidized. Most secondary schools are coeducational while there are a few single-sex schools. (2017) now Ministry of Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METI) indicates that there are 68 public primary schools and 27 private primary/mixed schools. At the secondary/high level, there are 22 public schools and 9 private secondary/mixed schools (Table 21). It is estimated that private primary school enrolment account (p.5) for only about 16% of the primary school population, and private secondary school enrolment (p. 12) accounts for 6% of the total secondary school enrolment. Compulsory education runs from age 5 to age 16. While there are no school fees at public primary schools, there are small book fees at all secondary schools since textbooks are subsidized. Most secondary schools are coeducational while there are a few single-sex schools.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
No information was found.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Private government-aided schools (also referred to as assisted schools in the Education Act (1983)) provide general education similar to that in public schools. Most of these are secular schools with a few denominational ones accepting students of all religious backgrounds. Assisted private secondary schools receive government grants by way of subventions, salary grants and bursaries. Student enrolment at these schools represents less than 5% of the total enrolment of the public schools.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
Education Act Section 42 allows children to receive instruction at home according to the MoE standards. The student should send a letter asking permission, stating a reason for the request. The Ministry also requires presenting the curriculum to be used, names and qualifications of tutors and timetable with a specific form available on its website. If the authorities grant permission, this application should be done annually. The School Attendance Officers visit homes or institutions to verify that homeschooling is being conducted and report any anomalies for further investigation by Education Officers.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
According to the Education in Barbados Information Handbook 2000 “Under the constitution of Barbados, the Minister of Education is charged with responsibility for all matters pertaining to education. The Minister is assisted in the execution of the government's educational policy by a team of administrative and technical officers. The Education Act Cap. 41 and the Education Regulations, 1982 provide the legal framework within which the Minister's responsibilities lie”. The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training is responsible for the formulation of educational policies, and the administration and regulation of education programs. The Ministry is headed at the administrative level by a Permanent Secretary and at the technical level by the Chief Education Officer. These officers are assisted by a Deputy Permanent Secretary, two Deputy Chief Education Officers, and a cadre of staff at Ministry Headquarters.
The Higher Education Development Unit (HEDU) was established in 2008 to facilitate institutional strengthening initiatives across the Barbados Community College (BCC), Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) and Erdiston Teachers.
According to the Education Act, for the purposes of its section 5, “the Minister shall keep a Register. register, to be known as the Register of Private Schools and Private Educational Institutions, in this Part referred to as “the Register”, in which must be entered the names of schools and institutions registered under this Part and such particulars in relation to those schools and institutions as may be prescribed.”
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
The Nursery and Primary Education Department is responsible for supervising and promoting practices in the effective management and administration of schools. As of 2016, most nurseries were private (14 vs. 10 public nurseries).
Registration and approval: Private ECCE centres should be registered under the Child Care Board Act (1997). After the board receives the application for registration, it should develop an inspection to the centre. Registration is subject to any condition the Board specifies. The Child Care Board (Private Child Care Centers) Regulations (1986) specifies the requirements for registration of a private childcare center which includes to be adequately staffed considering the number and ages of the children, the premises must be fit to be used as a child care centre and must conform to the requirements of the Health Services Act, Cap. 44, the Health Services (Building) Regulations, 1969 (S.I. 1969 No. 233) , the Health Services (Food Hygiene) Regulations, 1969 (S.I. 1969 No. 232) and any other Health Services Regulations pertaining to the operation of such an institution and the staff of the private child care centre must have appropriate training or experience that would in the opinion of the Board.
Licence: Operators of private daycare centres must renew their licences annually. Applications for renewal of licences must be accompanied by a Certificate of Inspection from the Barbados Fire Service, a Certificate of Inspection and an appropriate food licence issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and medical certificates for all staff. Operators must also provide current food handler certificates for all persons handling food, and Police Certificates of Character for all staff. All new applications and relocations must have the written approval of the Chief Town Planner to operate from the proposed site, and a Certificate of Registration from Corporate Affairs.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: The private child care center staff must have appropriate training or experience that would be in the board's opinion.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: According to the 1986 Child Care Board (Private Child Care Centers) Regulations, no child must be admitted to a private child care centre unless the child has been examined by a medical practitioner and has been issued with a medical certificate from the practitioner attesting to the suitability of that child in respect of his health, for admission to the centre.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: The Officer-in-Charge of a private child care centre shall compile the following records: a daily register of attendance, a record of the name, address and place of work and telephone number of the parents of each child attending the centre, a record of the meals served daily at the centre, a record of the fees charged in respect of each child received at the centre. In addition, the proprietor of a private child care centre must provide a detailed report in respect of each member of its staff medical certificate certifying that the member has had a medical examination that includes a blood test and a food handling certificate following the Health Services (Food Hygiene) Regulations, 1969 (S.I. 1969 No. 232) (Child Care Board (Private Child Care Centers) Regulations, 1986)
Inspection: A Child Care Officer or any other person authorized by the Board may, at any reasonable time, enter any private child care center to interview members of staff or children of the center and inspect the books and records of the center.
Child assessment: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
Registration and approval: The Barbados Education Act, set that the establishment of a private school or educational institutions requires the prior approval of the Minister which will be granted upon applications if they fulfil requirements in terms of infrastructure, instruction, teachers and school staff suitability. The registration is subject to any condition the Minister specifies (art. 33). The Register of Private Schools and Private Educational Institutions keep data on schools and institutions; a certified copy of this record is published annually in the Official Gazette. When the Minister registers a school or institution under subsection (l) of the Education Act, he shall, in writing, notify the applicant that the school or institution, as the case may be, is registered. (3) Registration of a private school or private educational institution under subsection (1) is subject to any condition the Minister specifies.
Licence: No information was found.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: Assisted Private Secondary Schools receive government grants in the form of subventions, salary grants and bursaries. Subventions are paid on an annual basis; monthly salary grants are paid in established teacher-pupil ratio and bursaries per annum are provided to assist with the payment of the school fees of those pupils who satisfy the criteria of eligibility for the grant of a bursary.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All schools follow the national curriculum.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: Teachers in assisted private schools are covered under the Public Service (Teachers) Order 2016 (similar to state schools) and are required to obtain similar qualifications with teachers in state schools. Salary scales are also regulated by the government.
Corporal punishment: The government publicly declared its intention to abolish the practice of corporal punishment in school settings in 2019.
Fee-setting: No information was found. However private schools are allowed to charge fees as can be seen on the website of both the Ministry of Education and of some of the private schools.
Admission selection and processes: Entry to secondary schools is based on performance on the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination. This examination is for students between the ages of 9+ and 12+ attending public or private schools. Students are awarded places based on the scores they obtain. In addition to their choice of public secondary schools, students may opt for a bursary to an assisted private school. “The Minister may by order divide Barbados into zones for the purposes of the admission and transfer of pupils to public schools and assisted private schools. Subject to the provisions of the order, every pupil shall attend a public school or assisted private school in the zone in which his residence is located.”
Policies for vulnerable groups: Assisted private secondary schools receive bursaries to assist with the payment of the school fees of those pupils who satisfy the criteria of eligibility.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: Government-aided (assisted) private schools should present annually to the Minister a financial statement certified by an auditor approved by the Ministry and a report of the school activities during the preceding year. Regulations concerning inspections are similar to both public and private schools.
School inspection: The Ministry of Education has general oversight of the supervision, management and delivery of the curriculum at all secondary schools. The Chief Education Officer inspects public educational institutions, registered private schools and registered private educational institutions. The principal of a public educational institution and the proprietor or principal of a registered private school or private educational institution should keep the institution or school open at all times during school hours to visits and inspections.
Student assessment: Entry to secondary schools is based on performance on the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: The proprietors are not allowed to discontinue school services without three school terms notice. The Minister may require the proprietor to repay the financial assistance granted during the year in which the school or institution is discontinued.
Higher education in Barbados is composed of the Barbados Community College (BCC), Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) and Erdiston Teachers’ Training College (ETTC) and The University of the West Indies (UWI).
The Tertiary Unit of the Ministry of Education is managed by a Senior Education Officer in charge of overseeng the tertiary education sector in Barbados. The Barbados accreditation council listed 19 registered institutions in its report for the year 2017/18.
Registration and approval: No information was found.
Licence: The Barbados Accreditation Council was established by an Act of Parliament with two broad roles: The registration and re-registration of institutions offering post-secondary/tertiary education and programmes of study, the accreditation and re-accreditation of programmes and institutions and related functions, such as recognition and equivalency of local and foreign-based qualifications, articulation and conferral of institutional titles and granting of Certificates of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification. Educational institutes which apply for accreditation must submit necessary documents and papers to the educational council. There must be a well built infrastructure which should be spacious to house students. Every student should be well taken care of. If an institute fails to meet these basic requirements, the application for accreditation will stand cancelled.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: No information was found.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
Despite no information on regulation has been found, private tutoring exist in Barbados.
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
