Washington, DC — The World Bank has approved a US$50 million program to strengthen foundational learning skills in Barbados’ pre-primary and primary education and improve access to climate-resilient, inclusive learning environments. Implemented by the Ministry of Education Transformation, the Barbados Education Sector Transformation program aims to address early literacy and numeracy deficits and enhance teaching quality, assessment systems, and classroom practices.
Despite high national investment in education—around 4.9 percent of GDP—many students face learning gaps, with 30 percent scoring below acceptable levels in mathematics in 2023. The program targets these challenges by expanding early childhood education, upgrading school infrastructure for energy efficiency and climate resilience, improving digital connectivity, and ensuring accessibility for students with special needs.
Approximately 23,000 students and over 1,300 teachers and school leaders will benefit from the program, which ties World Bank funding to measurable milestones through a Program-for-Results financing model. The initiative is part of Barbados’ broader Education Transformation Initiative, designed to equip students with skills for future jobs, strengthen national resilience, and support long-term economic growth.
