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Bahamian Politics Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


DNA: The Real Cost of Education
By Branville McCartney Leader, Democratic National Alliance (DNA)
Dec 1, 2014 - 12:06:19 PM

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The dream of achieving a college degree is one shared by countless young Bahamians. Unfortunately difficult economic circumstances have made it nearly impossible for many parents to afford the cost of a college education. For students pursuing the dream of tertiary education without the assistance of family, the road to a degree is even more difficult.

The reported announcement of the government’s intention to charge Value Added Tax (VAT) on non-degree courses at the College of the Bahamas (COB) is an affront to the scores of hard working students who, in the face of a 3.2 million dollar budget cut, are already being required to shoulder an increased financial burden through the payment of additional school service fees. When confronted by concerned students earlier this year, members of this PLP government chose to hide out in the Halls of Parliament refusing to let protesting students inside, all in an attempt to dodge the tough questions which these students were unquestionably owed at the time.

For the thousands of students currently enrolled at the COB, and the thousands of future high school graduates this country will produce in June of next year, the taxation of non-degree courses is yet another obstacle which could prevent striving young people from receiving the kind of education that would make them real contributors to this society.

The importance of education to our young and developing democracy cannot be overstated. Education is more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future and is critical to reducing poverty and inequality. According to research compiled by the Global Partnership for Education, more than 171 million people worldwide could be lifted out of poverty if students in low income countries left school with basic reading skills. Not only does a sound education give our citizens the critical skills and tools needed to improve their quality of life, it also helps create and sustain economic growth, encourages transparency, good governance stability and fights corruption.

In light of the many social ills currently facing our beautiful country, The Democratic National Alliance calls on the government to reconsider the taxation of these college courses and begin the process of removing all potential barriers to receiving a quality education in this country.

While on the campaign trail the PLP, then in opposition, promised to double the investment in education at all levels. While in government however, they have done the exact opposite cutting critical funding to the country’s leading tertiary education institution, even as it prepares to advance toward university status. Months following that ill-timed decision though, the government found itself having to borrow up to 16 million dollars to fund COB’s expansion.

Sadly the actions of this government in handling the inefficiencies plaguing the public school system prove that their promised commitments to education were nothing more than empty words.

The answers to the myriad of problem facing the country can be found first in the reform of our education system. Any government worth its salt would act swiftly to ensure that all its citizens, irrespective of their socio-economic status have access to quality education. The future of our country depends on it.

Branville McCartney

DNA Leader


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