Originally published Oct. 22, 2022 in Barbados Today.
By Morissa Lindsay
Physical education teachers across the primary and secondary schools as well as National Sports Council coaches all came together for what was deemed an important bonding session as the Ministry of Education looks to cement a stronger relationship with its key stakeholders.
Addressing teachers this morning from across the primary and secondary schools at the Lester Vaughan Secondary School at Cane Garden, St. Thomas on Teachers’ Professional Day, Peripatetic teacher in the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Janelle Denny, said that in an effort to improve physical education and sports participation, looking at the existing curriculum was among the ministry’s focus.
During his remarks, Director of the National Sports Council (NSC), Neil Murrell, used the example of World Champion gold medalist Ryan Brathwaite to make the point that he was identified from within the Lester Vaughan Secondary School system and went on to bring great recognition to Barbados.
Murrell encouraged the teachers and coaches to start pushing the needle and identify the next talent within their schools, similarly to what Alwyn Babb did when he sought out Brathwaite who went on to not only win 110m hurdles gold in 2009 at the World Championship but also clocked a national record of 13.14 seconds.
“You physical education teachers, you coaches, you know that there are more Ryan Brathwaite’s around at each and every school; you see them every day, you interact with them. They need encouragement towards championship status. You as physical education teachers and coaches are major influences in the lives of young people."