Epilepsy Education and Training for Teachers in Barbados, West Indies

Over 50 educators from Barbados and the wider Caribbean have recently completed a pivotal epilepsy education workshop, equipping them with essential skills to support students living with epilepsy.

 

The one-day session, titled "Bright Futures, Safe Classrooms: Strengthening Epilepsy Knowledge Across Caribbean Education Systems," took place at the Solutions Centre of the University of the West Indies' Cave Hill Campus.

 

Participants included teachers from early childhood to tertiary levels, alongside 15 teacher trainers from UWI.

 

Dr. Laurette Bristol, director of the UWI School of Education, emphasized the workshop's goal: to provide educators with practical knowledge to confidently manage classroom seizures.

 

She highlighted the importance of dispelling epilepsy-related taboos to foster safe learning environments.

 

Dr. Henderson Carter, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, noted that the training also enhances schools' capacity to support students with various neurological and developmental conditions.

 

Dr. Bristol pointed out the need to bridge the gap between education and health sectors, aiming for collaborative solutions for learners.

 

The workshop is part of a collaboration between the UWI Cave Hill School of Education, the International League Against Epilepsy, and the Epilepsy Society of the Caribbean.

 

Dr. Bristol announced plans for a Summer Institute to offer practical training and certification for educators, enabling them to become in-school trainers and strengthen epilepsy awareness across the region.

 

Future phases will also focus on educating parents and communities.