CVQs introduction

STUDENTS of Irving Wilson School may be in the future completing Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs) on site.

The Education Ministry is moving to put measures in place at the school to allow students there to sit in three subject areas. This was revealed by the Deputy Chief Education Officer, Joy Adamson, as she addressed the inaugural official visit to a special school by the Government General of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave yesterday.

“The principal spoke about the students who would have worked at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, but we are working also that we can have the CVQs done here at the Irving Wilson in data entry. And as long as we retrofit and put things in place and put the structures in place, we know that there will be more CVQs coming in areas such as cosmetology and carpentry.”

Adamson also spoke about having similar measures implemented next door at the Ann Hill School.

“We probably will be working with both schools. Where we can’t have enough here, we will also be going over to Ann Hill, so that these students are prepared for that world out there.”

The Deputy Chief Education Officer also used the occasion to highlight the Education Ministry’s efforts to have greater integration of students with special needs into mainstream schools. She pointed out that measures are in place allowing pupils of the Irving Wilson School to attend classes at St. Paul’s Primary and Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary, in order for them to prepare to take the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

This was similarly highlighted by Principal of the Irving Wilson School, Wendy Blackman as she addressed the gathering, which included President of the Senate, Senator Kerryann Ifill; Member of Parliament for St. Michael South East, Santia Bradshaw; Education Officer, Janice Reid and Education Officer, Nursery and Primary, Shamin Ally.

Blackman spoke of two students from the school who have autism, who are included at the Wilkie Cumberbatch School and will be sitting the BSSEE in 2017. She also spoke of present and past scholars of the school who went on to further their academic qualifications at secondary and tertiary institutions locally.

“Presently some of our young ladies are included in the [Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic’s] Nail Care and Beauty beginners and advanced programmes, and four of our young men are in the Lawn Care and Horticulture programme. Last year, six girls were awarded Caribbean Vocational Qualifications in Nail Care.”