BY JULIE CARRINGTON | JAN 24, 2023
The Barbados Cadet Corps will explore the idea of looking outside of its traditional base to boost numbers as the new Commandant, Commander David Dowridge, is on a mission to include all sectors of society into its ranks.
Commander Dowridge said he intends to grow the ranks from approximately 700 cadets to over 1,000 cadets in the short-term, as he spoke to the media today during the mid-morning break at the Principals’ Coordinating Conference at Hodgson Hall Conference Room, St. Ann’s Fort, The Garrison, St. Michael.
The Commandant stated that the Corps would employ creative ways to appeal to those outside of the normal base to come into the fold possibly starting from the next school year.
“So, we’re looking to appeal to people who may be, from a religious point of view, Muslims, Rastafari and other groups who are not joining. So, we are looking to have discussions with those representatives with a view to attracting them into the Cadet Corps so that they can benefit from the cadets. Inclusion is the word, so that we have a bigger pool to draw from. The cadets will increase in numbers but we get the opportunity to influence a wider cross section of the Barbados community,” he underlined.
Commander Dowridge acknowledged that if there is buy-in from other groups, some adjustments may be needed but stressed that discussions would be held with the representative bodies before any changes are decided. He also pointed out that there would be no changes to the Corps’ principles during the intake.
Meanwhile Deputy Chief Education Officer, Joy Adamson, pledged the Ministry of Education’s support in the Corps’ activities and endorsed the call for more numbers.
“I will support the cry for persons to come on as well and to volunteer. It is not only in cadets, but we know in a lot of our other groups … the Girl Guides, the Boy Scouts …. The numbers have dwindled because of COVID. Cadetting is one thing that we are pushing, especially in secondary school, and we are encouraging not only the public schools, but the private schools to come on board as well as …. So, the Ministry of Education is here to support….”
Mrs. Adamson also underscored the importance of disciplined students and those who showed leadership skills, and emphasised that this is what the Ministry was aiming to achieve in all schools.
Principal of the Frederick Smith Secondary School and President of the Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools, Stephen Jackman, added that being a part of the Corps built teamwork among students.
“There is no way that you can be busy fighting when you’re working in a team. It is so important for our young people to learn how to depend on each other, that this is an important thing to do,” he maintained.
Mr. Jackman said at a time when the island’s youth “are facing so much”, it was now important that schools, the Cadet Corps, service organisations retool to offer young people alternatives other than “what is being fed to them as a regular diet everyday”.
The joint-conference had as its theme: Understanding the Future with Creativity, Commitment and Confidence.
