Nassau, Bahamas - On behalf of the management and staff of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, I wish to convey deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jewel Dean, Senior Education Officer-Performing Arts in the Department of Education.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and indeed The Commonwealth of The Bahamas has lost a precious jewel in its crown. Ms. Dean gave stellar and committed service to our nation during her forty-two year career in education. She has impacted many of our citizens throughout her life and there is a great sadness on her passing.

Jewel Dean entered the public service in 1972 as a Teacher and was posted at Stephen Dillet Primary School. While teaching, she pursued teaching qualifications and graduated from the Bahamas Teachers College with a Teachers Certificate endorsed by University of the West Indies. She was subsequently posted to the S. C. McPherson Junior High School and later as Head of the Music Department at T. G. Glover and H. O. Nash Junior High Schools. Her last classroom posting was as a Language Arts Teacher at the D. W. Davis Junior High School from 1991 – 1996.

In 1996, Ms. Dean was transferred to headquarters to assume the position of Education Officer for Performing Arts. In 2001, she was appointed Senior Education Officer for Performing Arts, a position she held until her death.

In addition to overseeing music and dance programmes within the public school system, Ms. Dean was called upon to serve on numerous committees to plan and execute national events. Notable among these special assignments was the Independence Committee, National Arts Festival, One Bahamas Celebrations, Prince Harry’s Visit in Observance of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and more recently, the 19th  Conference ofCommonwealth Education Ministers.

Jewel Dean was known for her high standards and her passion for music and the performing arts. One of her masterpieces was the Annual Festival of Carols held in December for the past seventeen years. It brought together hundreds of students from both public and private schools in New Providence to tell the Christmas Story. It always brought joy to those in attendance while showcasing the talents of students in music and liturgical dance. She always ensured that the Governor General or their representative was present during the service.

Perhaps the greatest legacy that Ms. Dean has left behind is the countless music teachers that she trained and mentored for our schools, as well as musicians that she has developed for our nation. Performing Arts Teachers throughout The Bahamas can attest to the opportunities she provided them to showcase their students’ skills and their instructional leadership at local and international conferences. She always sought to incorporate new programmes within the Performing Arts Curriculum and in recent years, Handbell Ringing and Rake n’ Scrape became available.

I am certain that the teachers who Ms. Dean supervised, will honour her legacy by continuing the fine work that she started. May her soul rest in peace.