By Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterWESLEY EMMANUEL Barrett, 59, the retired Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, is five feet four inches tall, but his contributions to the sector for the last 31 years have towered to immeasurable levels.
His contributions include the piloting of an on-line educational programme for teachers pursuing degrees in computing and information systems, the development of a competency programme with two literacy centres being created for delinquent students, the establishment of a policy document on information technology in schools, and the promotion of the Reform of Secondary Education Programme (ROSE).
These, among many other valuable initiatives, have earned Mr. Barrett numerous accolades and awards but more important, his humble disposition and his fire for success have steered him into the hearts of many.
For Mr. Barrett, humility has been automatic, as, according to the man who describes himself as 'a people person', among his desires was to make just about everyone with whom he worked, happy. But he admits his bias towards children.
In his office at the Ministry of Education, South Heroes Circle, central Kingston, where he worked as Chief Education Officer for just over 13 years,were framed photographs of small, smiling children that sent him arrows of motivation and bouquets of inspiration each day.
"When I look at them I see hope for this country," he said, gazing at one of the pictures. "Look at that one (photograph) there, it just reminds me that I am here to serve the children of my country."
EDUCATION
From 1962 to 1965, he attended Mico Teachers' College in Kingston and on graduating, he taught at Giddy Hall All-Age School, before becoming principal of Kilmarnock All-Age School.
Convinced that he could make an even more fundamental contribution to education, in 1973 Mr. Barrett joined the ministry as an Education Tutor and soon after spiralled his way through various offices including Primary Schools' Supervisor, Secondary Schools' Supervisor, Senior Education Officer and Assistant Chief Education Officer, before being appointed Chief Education Officer, in 1989, with responsibility to initiate changes for effective delivery of educational services.
From the outset, he recognised the hurdles that he would have to overcome in his new job, but he was committed to 'changing the system.'
CHALLENGE
"When I arrived in the post in 1989, school inspection was suspended and I felt that that was remiss and so, with some improvement in the system, I took a challenge of resuscitating it," recalled Mr. Barrett.
Now, school inspection is an important requirement of the Ministry of Education, supported by a document guiding the process.
He said that while there were some teachers who ought not to be in the educational system, the majority were committed to developing the system; however, they too, were affected by the lack of adequate resources.
Currently, 95 per cent of the Ministry of Education's $23-billion budget is used to fund salaries and wages, with the remaining five per cent being used for capital investments.
Mr. Barrett, who turns 60 in August, officially demitted office on March 8.
He said that although he is retired, there was enough time for him to learn to play the flute, pursue more studies in education financing and devote more energy to the Jamaica Association for Open and Distance Learning, of which he is president.
Senator Noel Montieth, a Minister of State for Education, said that even as a gentle giant demitted the office of Chief Education Officer, his career in the education system would remain a lasting sensation.
"I believe he has left behind at the Ministry of Education a lot of pretty good recommendations," he said.
Mr. Barrett would like more focus to be placed on mathematics education and information technology, given the demands of the global education environment.
"It really has been a journey," Mr. Barrett told The Gleaner. "I certainly enjoyed the time I spent working with the ministry."
