1. Make technology courses (if not already being offered) mandatory from elementary through high school. We are all living in a technology driven world and if Barbados wants to play in the big leagues, we will have to “up our game!” Technology is forever changing and it can be used to speed up certain processes, eliminate duplicity as well as being a big plus where automation is concern.
2. Raise the age children leave school. Instead of having children leave school at age fifteen or sixteen (after which they are unable to find sustainable work), why not let them stay in school until age seventeen or eighteen. Evaluate children based on their learning capabilities (some are either auditory, hands on or visual learners).
3. Hold parents responsible for their children’s behavior both in and out of the classroom. Suspend disruptive students and have them perform a certain number of community service tasks. Conduct mandatory anger management classes in all schools. Hold parents responsible for their children’s behavior both in and out of the classroom.

by Barbara Barker