Minister of Education the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald addressing the Closing Ceremony of the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, on Friday, June 26; Cat Island Primary School students perform Rake and Scrape and Creative Folklore put on a Dance Show during the Closing Ceremony of the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, June 26. The conference was held June 22 – 26, 2015 at Atlantis, Paradise Island. (BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna)
|
PARADISE ISLAND, The Bahamas – It was during
the historic 1985 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Paradise Island
that the landmark Nassau Accord was established leading the way for the release
from prison of Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid leader.
And 30 years later, in the same small state –
The Bahamas – the call was made at the conclusion of the 19th
Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers for establishing education as a
core value throughout the 53 member states.
Minister of Education the Hon. Jerome
Fitzgerald, during the Closing Ceremony said: “As Ministers of Education, we
are cognizant of the fact that our Ministries are the most important within any
government.
“We impact finance, national security,
health, social services as well as youth and culture. We must therefore remain
relentless in advancing the education agenda.”
The 19th CCEM was held under the
theme: “Quality Education for Equitable Development: Performance, Paths and
Productivity.” The conference brought together Ministers of Education and other
delegates from the 53 Commonwealth nations, June 22 – 26, 2015 at Atlantis,
Paradise Island.
“We have reached the end of an outstanding,
successful Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, said
Commonwealth Secretary-General
Kamalesh Sharma.
He even went further to say that the National Motto of
The Bahamas: “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” might be the
watchword for the Commonwealth going forward.
“That togetherness and that collective
ambition to achieve more is both a great
aspiration and a great
inspiration,” he said.
In his concluding
remarks, Mr. Fitzgerald said he was humbled to have served as Chair of the 19th
CCEM – when delegates were immersed in the world of education and examined challenges
of policymakers, teachers and students.
“The
presentations, discussions, exchange of ideas and collaboration have been an
engaging learning experience for us all.”
He
continued: “I have learned much from my colleagues this
week and my life has been deeply enriched by their presentations and the
discussions that we have had.”
Minister
Fitzgerald said however, there is still much work to be done.
“Because
we know the inherent value of education, we must find ways to strategically and
creatively communicate and transfer that value and appreciation to our
citizens. As Malcolm X said, ‘by any means necessary.’
“Let
this meeting held in an historic country in the Commonwealth act as a basis for
establishing education not only as a priority, but as a core value,” he said.
Mr.
Fitzgerald thanked all those who contributed to the “overwhelming success” of the
conference, and the Commonwealth Secretariat for the confidence placed in the
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Government of The Bahamas
in hosting a conference of this caliber.
The
Closing Ceremony ended with a Bahamian Cultural Show featuring Rake and Scrape
performers of the Cat Island Primary School; Dance Show by Creative Folklore;
and a Junkanoo Rush-Out by Magic Showtime Boys.
THE NASSAU DECLARATION is Attached below:
