As the Barbados Youth Advance Corps (BYAC) looks to the future, director Hally Haynes remains optimistic about the organisation’s role in offering the youth opportunities for success.
He said this faith in the future of the corps was underscored by Government’s backing on the programme, signalling a commitment to investing in the potential of young Barbadians.
“I think we are fortunate that we have a Prime Minister who understands this issue, who understands it’s better to invest in our young people rather than spend money in the penal system.
“If we continue on this trajectory, I am thinking that the BYAC will remain a feature in the landscape of Barbadian society because it’s all-encompassing. It’s not for young people who drop out, it’s for young people at all levels,” he said.
Haynes spoke with the Sunday Sun after the corps’ CSEC and City & Guild Awards ceremony at Courtyard by Marriot in Hastings, Christ Church, on Friday.
The academic standouts of the new cohorts were honoured for their academic achievements and steps to self-development throughout the programme. Accompanied by proud parents and supportive peers, they relished the sight of their new diplomas before enjoying a celebratory dinner in the courtyard.
Haynes said the opportunities offered by the Youth Advance Corps were accessible to all youth regardless of their background.
“It’s not only about troubled youth. It is about a programme – a holistic development programme – that offers opportunity [to] young people of all walks of life. We have had people from Queen’s College, Harrison College, [Daryll Jordan] Secondary, so it is not about the school you attended.
“It is the opportunity that has been given to you and I see the BYAC as that conduit for national development and regional development,” he said.
Looking to the future of the programme, Haynes advocated for a scenario wherein the Youth Advance Corps would be a compulsory experience, akin to what is seen in countries like Cuba.
He argued that such an initiative could provide structure and support for young individuals who weren’t employed or engaged in education.
“Some people talk about conscription, but it’s not conscription if you’re not going to school,” Haynes said.
“The challenges that young people face, they don’t occur when they’re 16. A lot of these are manifested in their very junior years.
“So if the system is working well, we should be able to identify those young people who have challenges . . . . and have intervention strategies to address them rather than allowing them to pass through the school system, go into communities and then have additional challenges,” he added.
Reflecting on his past as a police prosecutor dealing with young offenders, Haynes said mechanisms had to be put in place to prevent these individuals from running afoul of the law.
“We as a society have to put measures in place to assist them. And one of the ways to do that is that if you’re not in school, you’re not working, then you have some form of service,” he said. (JRN)
