Barbados To Build Music Studios In Secondary Schools Nationwide

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The Barbados Government has announced an ambitious initiative to establish fully equipped music production studios in selected secondary schools as part of a wider effort to expand opportunities in the creative arts and prepare students for careers in the global entertainment industry.
The announcement was made by Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman during the launch of a new curriculum initiative alongside internationally acclaimed Barbadian soca artiste Alison Hinds and members of the local creative sector.
The programme aims to integrate music production and other creative arts more deeply into the national education system, giving students practical, industry-relevant skills while exposing them to career opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.
As part of the first phase, several secondary schools will receive fully equipped music production studios where students will learn the fundamentals of beat-making, songwriting, music recording and audio production.
Speaking at the launch, Blackman said the Government is committed to creating spaces where young people can develop their talents using professional equipment.
“We believe, and we’re gonna do it, that in the number of secondary schools in the first phase, we’re gonna have music studios where students can learn to produce beats,” he said.
The minister also explained that the initiative goes beyond music alone. Students will be encouraged to explore careers across the wider entertainment industry, including opportunities in film, soundtrack production and international creative markets.
In addition to the studios, Barbados plans to introduce a national student festival designed to showcase young talent while creating direct pathways into the regional and global entertainment industries.
The Government believes investing in creative education will help diversify career opportunities for young Barbadians while strengthening the country’s cultural and creative economy.
The initiative has already attracted praise from members of the entertainment community, who see it as an important step toward giving aspiring musicians and producers access to professional training from an early age.