Education In Barbados
Education In Barbados: A closer look! The Educational System in Barbados appears to be a topic of interest by some of the visitors to this gem in the Caribbean. Though plagued with information about attractions and history, education sparks interest. The Barbadian educational system is based upon the British system. England was the colonial master of Barbados in the early 18th Century prior to Emancipation in 1834. Barbados unlike any other colony within the Caribbean was solely colonized by the English and because of the island’s sociohistorical background there is no interfering influence by any other cultures such as Spanish, French and Portuguese. Post-emancipation education and religion were two of the major social institutions utilized by the Colonizers to control the working class. The Bible was the tool used to teach reading and writing to the masses. Hence in Barbados where the only colonizer was Britain then the only language taught and learned was Standard English. Prior to age three (3) many babies and toddlers attend nursery schools and kindergarten or preschools where their teaching is more informal. Around age 3 and 4 children enter Primary school which begins at reception and ends seven years later with Class 4. From reception the child progresses to infants A, infants B, Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 before finishing in Class 4. 
Primary school prepares students for the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) in Mathematics and English. The CEE is more commonly called the 11+ exam though children as young as age 9 have been known to complete the CEE. The results of the CEE determine the next stage of education by the students.
After the primary level, the students enter the secondary level which varies from five years in length to seven years. In secondary school the levels are termed 1st Form to 5th Form while four of the secondary schools currently also have additional two Forms called Lower 6th Form and Upper 6th Form. In order to cater to the large number of students desiring to attend the schools with the 6th Forms, the Government of Barbados has decided to make the infrastructural changes necessary to two more secondary schools so that they can accommodate the extra two Forms as well. 
In addition to 6th Form schools, there are other post-secondary institutions including the Barbados Community College where one can complete an Associate Degree in almost any area of study. There is also the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic where more technical subjects are completed including mechanical engineering which is accredited by the City and Guilds Examination Board. Also for those students who may not be considered academically inclined or prefer practical instead of theoretical studies there is the Barbados National Vocational and Training Board where skills can be acquired or honed to perfection.
Finally, in Barbados there is the tertiary level of education which can be obtained at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus. The campus is one of the three major Universities of the West Indies; the other two campuses are located in Jamaica and Trinidad. At the University of the West Indies, almost any major or dual major, minor or special can be studied. The University has students from all over the Caribbean and the world; many attend on scholarship and through exchange programs. The literacy rate in Barbados is very high and this is not solely due to the historical background but also because the Government pays for the Barbadian nationals to attend primary school, secondary school and to complete a first degree at the tertiary level. Education In Barbados is the key to a successful future. Return from Education In Barbados to Barbados Vacation Isle Homepage
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