Bridgetown — May 27, 2026 — A new World Bank Education Public Expenditure Review has found that while Barbados invests heavily in education, the country must sharpen its focus on translating this investment into workforce‑ready skills. The report was released during the launch of the Barbados Education Sector Transformation program, which aims to align education with national development priorities and global economic demands.
Barbados currently allocates about 4.9 percent of GDP to education, a level consistent with international benchmarks. This commitment has helped achieve near‑universal enrollment at primary and secondary levels, even during economic shocks. However, challenges remain in ensuring that students graduate with the competencies required by employers. Foundational skill gaps, particularly in mathematics, emerge as early as primary school and widen through secondary education.
The review also highlights equity concerns, noting that merit‑based scholarships disproportionately benefit wealthier households. In 2017, 61 percent of scholarship funding went to students from the richest quintile, while only 8 percent reached the poorest. Inefficiencies in resource use, such as declining student‑teacher ratios and high spending on tertiary education, were also identified.
Recommendations include introducing early diagnostic assessments, expanding remediation programs, and developing a national teacher policy with stronger professional development and performance incentives. The report also calls for expanding early childhood education, investing in climate‑resilient school infrastructure, and targeting support to lower‑income students to improve equity.
According to Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean, Barbados has built a strong foundation but must now focus on quality, equity, and resilience to ensure students are equipped for a changing economy. The Education Sector Transformation program will support the implementation of these reforms, positioning Barbados to strengthen its workforce and global competitiveness.
