For the second year, law students of the Barbados Community College (BCC) were given the opportunity to show off their debating skills during the now annual sitting of Mock Parliament.
The session was part of the students’ final assessment and is conducted according to the established parliamentary rules.
In attendance was Justice William Chandler who described the proceedings as a valuable and necessary experience for the country’s next generation of policy makers.
“I think they’re doing quite well. They are very eloquent, presenting themselves well.”
A BCC tutor for 19 years, Justice Chandler encouraged students to focus on their goals and not be distracted or waylaid from their pursuits.
“Keep your mind on what it is you want to achieve, keep your shoulders to the plow and do not let anybody detract or distract you from your stated goal.”
BCC Law Society President Deandre Peters applauded his peers’ performance and expressed his enthusiasm as a participant in the event.
Stressing the significance of the proceedings in the lives of his fellow students, he thanked his tutors for organising and encouraging the first stages of his academic journey.
“We've seen many children who may in class be shy, who may in class not talk that much come out today, get out their comfort zones and do the best of their abilities and I commend every single one of them.”
The event was moderated by previous BCC students and guild members who lent their experience to their juniors.
Deputy Speaker of the Barbados National Youth Parliament and Former BCC Guild Vice President, Kashon Brewster played the role of Speaker of the House and ensured the students were heard by their peers and followed the proper parliamentary format.
“I think the performance was actually very nice. I did not expect to see majority of them come out and actually do their best. It was actually a step up from last year.”
BCC Law Tutor Laticia A. Bourne congratulated her students on a successful showing, noting the growth on display.
Excited to watch their academic and professional careers, she stressed that while they still had a way to go before obtaining their certification and passing the bar she is confident they will find success wherever they find themselves.
“They just knocked it out of the park. They owned it I cannot be more impressed. We have a lot to be very proud of at the BCC.”
Created just last year to prepare BCC students for parliamentary engagement, the event has already proven a growing success and with the conclusion of its second staging, organisers are doubling down on their commitment to providing impactful opportunities for their students.