It is with profound sadness that the Barbados Community College (BCC) received news of the passing of former Prime Minister, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford. Sir Lloyd’s contribution to national development is marked by several achievements. However, it is his contribution to education that we wish to recognize and highlight.
In the 1960s, Barbados made an indelible mark in national development by creating greater access to free secondary education. However, with only four 6th form schools, there was heavy demand for post-secondary education. Parallel to that, Barbados saw the expansion of the various income generating sectors, in business, manufacturing, tourism, commerce and other industries in the economic sector which created a huge demand for an educated and well-trained workforce.
Amidst this emerging reality, Sir Lloyd recognized that the concept of a community college was very new and with none existing in the Caribbean, he envisaged the Barbados Community College as the solution to this workforce demand. He saw the need for an institution that would assist with the training needs of Barbadians in an efficient and cost-effective manner. This led to Sir Lloyd successfully piloting legislation through the House of Assembly, establishing the Barbados Community College in October 1968. The BCC became the first major education institution to be opened since Barbados gained Independence in 1966. Over the last 55 years, the BCC has made a significant contribution to the overall development of Barbados by helping to shape the lives of young people across the entire island.
Beyond his national obligation, Sir Lloyd and his family are intricately woven into the fabric of the BCC, having contributed directly to its operations over the years. Sir Lloyd was a former Tutor in Caribbean Politics and Society’ as well as the ‘Government and Politics’ programme, while his widow Dr. Angelita Sandiford is a former Deputy Principal of the BCC and previously, a Senior Tutor in the Division of General and Continuing Education. In recognition of his pivotal contribution to education in Barbados and in particular the BCC, Sir Lloyd was conferred with an honourary doctorate, LL.D, in 2004.
The Chairman, Board of Management, Principal, Administration, staff and students of the Barbados Community College would like to thank Sir Lloyd for his landmark contribution to the College and extend our sincerest condolences to Dr. Angelita Sandiford and the other members of the Sandiford family.
