It takes a village: Caribbean symposium unites parents and policymakers for education transformation
Summit in Barbados lays the foundation for a Caribbean Parent Teacher Association and stronger parental engagement in schools
Bridgetown, Barbados, 30 September 2025 – “It takes a village to raise a child.” This timeless Caribbean adage set the tone today as education leaders, policymakers, and parents gathered at the Wyndham Grand Barbados for the opening of the Second Regional Transforming Education Symposium and Policy Dialogue under the theme “Stronger Together: Empowering Parents as Partners in Caribbean Education.”
In a historic step, the symposium laid the foundation for the establishment of a Caribbean Parent Teacher Association through the adoption of a regional charter, recognising parents as indispensable partners in children’s success alongside education leaders and policymakers.
Daniel Best, President of the Caribbean Development Bank, described education as a journey that begins long before the first school bell rings.
“Parents are the first teachers, the ones who instill values, build resilience and sustain learning at home. Every child's success story is a testament to the unseen labour of a mother or guardian, the faith of a father and the resilience of a grandparent who held onto the promise of an education against all odds. Policy makers can craft a vision and a strategy, but it is parents who bring these principles to life, making them an indispensable part of the education system. One cannot succeed without the other.”
The three-day symposium convenes around 150 participants, including parents, Ministers of Education, and civil society representatives. It is the second instalment of CDB’s Transforming Education Symposium Series, following last year’s inaugural event.
Chad Blackman, Minister of Educational Transformation for Barbados, praised the Bank and partners for convening the regional dialogue and underscored parents’ duty to uplift children:
“There are a few situations which call for alarm, where children are told oftentimes, that they are not good enough, oftentimes limiting the self-esteem of those children. And if we are to transform the system, parents have also a duty to ensure that we motivate our children, indoctrinating in them every day that they are the best and can be the best.”
The symposium agenda centres on four priorities:
- Building PTA capacity and strengthening governance;
- Facilitating policy dialogue between parents and Ministers of Education;
- Sharing challenges and innovative practices in parental engagement;
- Adopting a Charter for the Caribbean Parent Teacher Association, creating a sustainable platform for collaboration.
AbdulKadir Musse, UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean, highlighted the evidence linking parental involvement to student success:
“Across the region, we know that early learning and education is not the work of schools alone. Parents, guardians, and families are essential partners in nurturing children’s learning, physical, social and emotional well-being, and future success. When parents are meaningfully engaged in their children’s education, student outcomes improve, school communities thrive, and education systems become more resilient, protective and inclusive. This engagement must begin early: the first 1,000 days of life present a window of unparalleled opportunity to shape brain development, emotional security, and lifelong potential.”
Through plenaries, workshops, and panel discussions, participants are co-creating a regional framework to ensure PTAs are more effective advocates for student success. By laying the groundwork for the Caribbean PTA, the Caribbean has taken a significant step towards education systems that are inclusive, protective, and empowering for every child.
