As usual, and consistent with the PLP’s style of arrogance in governance, instead of providing the scope of works for the repair of the school in Rum Cay or providing a reasoned explanation for issuing this historically huge and unprecedented contract, the minister deliberately attempted to lecture and belittle a retired educator with many years of experience in the classroom and demand, that I he “sit small and be quiet.” In his usual haughty and pompous manner, the Minister refused to provide evidence to show that the Bahamian people were getting value for money, and that the contract was not padded.

The Minister’s cavalier non response demonstrates with clarity, the arrogance and total disregard that he and the his government have for accountability and transparency in the spending of public funds and good governance. All the FNM asked the minister to do in the release was to account to the Bahamian people on how he was spending half million dollars on the repair of a one room school with a total enrollment of nine students while spending the same amount for all of the school repairs in schools on the island of Grand Bahama.

The FNM was not satisfied with the minister’s initial explanation to the public when he said that the repairs were necessary because the school was also a hurricane shelter and a community centre. The Bahamian people deserve more.

We also note with particular interest that the minister has not denied that the contract was issued to a general in his party, neither did he make any comment about the bids that was given to him for the repairs. We challenge the Minister to come clean.

On a personal note, I agree with the Minister that I lack appreciation for what’s really going on in ministry of education. I agree with him whole heartily. I do not have an appreciation for the lack of planning and commitment that would allow a contractor to abandon ed the construction site of the pre-school on Cowpen Road because he has not been paid by the government, resulting in the relocation of students to a church.

I definitely do not have an appreciation for such negligence as would permit schools to become a construction zones exposing students to danger and accidents because the schools were not repaired in time for opening.

I totally am opposed to students losing valuable and necessary classroom contact hours impacting their examinations and future potential because of the incompetence of the ministry which is led by the minister.

I have absolutely no appreciation for a Minister who would permit our precious children to return to the abysmal and unhealthy state of the restrooms in many of our schools at the beginning of the school year including Garvin Tynes Primary, where chairs have been placed over the toilets to show that they are out of order. I suggest that the minister sit small until the bathrooms in the schools are repaired. At least then our children and Educators would feel comfortable being able to use the restrooms at their schools. And while you are at it Minister, please provide the schools with sufficient cleaning and sanitary materials so that Teachers do not feel obliged to ask students to bring these essentials to school.

Finally, this Minister of Education should be the last person to suggest that he wants to keep politics out of education. I certainly have not spoken about the politics of education. But I can, and will.