Harrison College – Barbados
It was some 30 years ago, as a student at Harrison College, that I sat the Caribbean Examinations Council’s examinations as part of the first cohort of students across the island taking GEC O’ levels and CXC examinations. At that time, I remember it being a rather daunting and unnerving experience –as we were the first! The three subjects I sat at that time were History, English Language and Maths. I had a keen interest in Caribbean History and found that subject totally enjoyable. Maths had never been a favourite of mine so that proved a bit challenging, especially as there were no past papers to practice on. As a result, the class spent a lot of time going through the traditional GCE O’ Level papers for practice. I do remember that the paper was like granite! Even those class mates, who were very maths competent, left the exam questioning what sort of grade they might receive. The English Language component was challenging, and from what I recall some persons felt it was more difficult than the GCE paper.
Thereafter, in 1982 I pursued A’Levels at Barbados Community College, and then completed my Honours Degree in Biology at UWI Cave Hill in 1986. I felt it was important to have a different student experience, which required that I needed to study abroad. I had developed an interest in applied marine sciences and fisheries while at Cave Hill and considered this to be an expanding area of interest for the island. So, I applied for a Student Revolving Loan to study Fisheries Biology and Management at the University College of North Wales – Bangor, Wales UK. I also received a partial scholarship from the British Council to assist with my studies. That programme was highly enlightening and provided me with direct hands-on exposure to mariculture studies and opportunities. I returned to Barbados with keen ideas of working in the Fisheries Division as this was my main interest – especially the field of mariculture and aquaculture.
I started to work at the Coastal Conservation Project Unit in 1989 as the Marine Biologist, and truly found my niche. I was fortunate to experience the expansion and development of the Unit over the years. In 1996, I was promoted to the post of Deputy Director and also took on the challenge to be the Project Manager for the Coastal Conservation Programme Phase 1 Study of the East Coast. This project resulted in the development of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for the island. I have been able to see the office develop into the Coastal Zone Management Unit in 1996, as well as the passage of the Coastal Zone Management Act in 1999.
In 2000, I received a National Development Scholarship to pursue Doctoral Studies in Coastal Zone Management at Cardiff University in Wales, UK. That has been one of the greatest educational experiences of my professional career. I was able to complete my research and return to work in 2003, and graduated in 2005. I have been the Director of the Unit since 2004 and am glad to know that Barbados has a coast to be proud of!
I wish to commend the Caribbean Examinations Council on its anniversary and its continued success especially as it branches out into different CXC and CAPE courses as well as CVQ courses.
