Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw.
As Barbados charts its new vision for education and as the Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) embarks on its new strategic direction, it is hoped that there can be greater levels of collaboration, leading to improved student outcomes for Barbadian students and those of the RUSM community.
Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw recently suggested the above, whilst delivering an address as a special guest at the opening of the two-day Ross University School of Medicine Strategic Planning Retreat, held virtually.
“This retreat, which is geared towards charting a new 21st century strategic direction for Ross University School of Medicine is very timely, as it coincides with a time period in which Barbados is charting a new vision for education,” Bradshaw remarked.
“It is interesting to note that in embarking on this new strategic direction, RUSM has chosen to focus on aligning its mission and goals with the needs of the 21st century. Implicit in this strategic direction is the need to focus on 21st century skills, a need that has been recognised by many governments and which has prompted them to make varying adjustments to their education systems. Based on the identified need to shift away from a strict focus on content accumulation to one of skills development; curriculum, pedagogy
and assessment are the most heavily impacted areas,” the Education Minister further commented.
She added, “This retreat’s focus on ideas and themes to transform the RUSM curriculum as it tackles issues related to the three planning pillars – Academic Learning Environment, Educational Excellence and Sustainability – is a major step in navigating our changing societies.”
Bradshaw went on to state that in this age of information or knowledge economy, a broader suite of skills for learning, work and life are required. Thus, shifts in skills, away from the narrow focus on literacy and numeracy and towards a broader set of skills, are needed to navigate our changing societies.
Stressing that COVID-19 has been a shock to the education system and the world in general, Bradshaw meanwhile noted, “This pandemic has given us all a moment to pause, a moment of reflection, a moment to think about what we have been doing. This is an opportune time for us to shake things up – and to deconstruct old systems and reconstruct new ones.”
“I want to give my assurance that the Government of Barbados is committed to working with the RUSM and similar higher education institutions, to find sustainable solutions to existing challenges. This commitment was recently articulated yet again by our Prime Minister Mia Mottley who identified education and medical tourism as core areas in the effort to diversify our economy. As I conclude, I wish to reiterate my gratitude for this opportunity for enhanced synergy, in our relations,” she maintained. (RSM)