IN A BID to get more schools involved in showcasing their work at the Barbados Manufacturers’ Exhibition (BMEX), from 2016 and onwards, the Media Resource Department (MRD) will be putting more funds into the effort, while launching additional competitions come academic year 2015-2016.
This was revealed by chief media resource officer, Walter Harper, as he spoke recently at the MRD headquarters, Elsie Payne Complex, during the presentation of prizes to schools which participated in BMEX 2015.
“The Ministry of Education views the schools as the cradle of manufacturing in Barbados, and as such, every year at BMEX the Media Resource Department seeks to showcase the high level of talent, creativity and outstanding work done in our schools,” Harper said.
He continued: “We recognise the creativity and diligence of our students and teachers and we want to encourage such, and at the same time, we want to seek to reward schools for their efforts. To this end, we will be launching, come September, a number of what we hope will become annual competitions with cash prizes. We are going to be moving away from giving desk jets and printers, etcetera, cameras; we are going to be having cash prizes.”
The head of the MRD pointed out that with the help of sponsors such as the Barbados Light and Power Company Ltd. and some major suppliers, a series of competitions in Science, focusing in particular on electricity and alternative energy, would be launched. He added that competitions in education resources such as apps, animations and videos, as well as in woodwork and metal work, would be introduced by September.
It was further noted that the Ministry of Education, through MRD, would be increasing the allocation of funds towards BMEX to $25000, and hoped also to attract a further $25 000 towards prizes.
“By so doing, we hope that we will be able to further display what we are doing in our schools so that they can be no question where manufacturing starts,” Harper stressed, adding that his department was eagerly looking forward to an improved display of exhibits come 2016. (BGIS)
