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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2019 - 3:24:23 PM |
COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
REMARKS BY
SEN. THE HON. J. KWASI THOMPSON
MINISTER OF STATE FOR GRAND BAHAMA
In the OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
On the occasion of
OFFICIAL LAUNCH:
ICT Skills Development Summer Programme
July 1st, 2019
Protocol
It
is with great pride and excitement that I stand here today on behalf of
the government, and alongside BTVI, to celebrate the launch of the 2nd
year of the ICT Skills Development Summer Program.
As many of
you are aware, the government has embarked on a mission to establish The
Bahamas as a technology hub, with its epicenter being right here in
Grand Bahama . I would like to confirm that there should be no doubt of
the Government’s resolve and intention.
This year’s budget in
Grand Bahama has been increased from $300,000 last year to 1.5 million.
These funds have been allocated for promoting Grand Bahama, our Tech
Summit, other Tech Conferences and specific programs to advance our Tech
Hub.
In addition, the Government is at the beginning of its
Digitization Transformation program made possible with IDB funding in
the amount of 30 million. In addition the Ministry of education has
already commenced its 17 million smart school digitization.
We
recognize that a major pillar of building a Tech Hub is the training of
Bahamians and having Academic institutions as its foundation. The
Government has identified a need to increase human capacity through
education at every level from pre-k to high school as well as tertiary
education facilities (particularly in science, math, technical and ICT
studies) as this will be a key component of developing our tech hub.
The
Government collaborated with BTVI in June 2018 to launch a 3-year ICT
Program for high school students. Beginning in 9th grade, students from
various schools in Grand Bahama have the opportunity to learn
fundamental ICT skills such as coding and web design. With the
completion of each summer, students receive a level of certification,
making them already employable in the ICT field before they graduate
high school. This program is not only free, but the students receive
stipends from the government each summer as they participate. I want to
congratulate the first 55 students who have completed the first phase
and are returning this summer to continue the program. In addition, I
applaud this new group of 9th graders will start the first phase and
encourage you to work and take advantage of this amazing opportunity.
The
Summer 2018 class performed exceptionally well, with several students
receiving awards for outstanding performance – Lanelle Burnside, Monica
Musgrove, Lorenzo Burnside, Vacativa Mckenzie, Bree Martinborough, Zion
Sainte, Kanye Johnson and Kenteya Stubbs
One student in
particular, Lanell Burnside’s powerful and informative address at the
2018 GB Tech Summit captivated officials of Kettering University, a
prestigious university in Flint, Michigan which specializes in business
and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Lanell was
offered a full scholarship to Kettering on the spot to attend after she
graduates high school.
- In-class overall passing average (over the 8-week period) – 80%
- IT Fundamentals certification overall passing average – 83%
- OSHA Certified – 90%
- We are so proud of these students’ accomplishments and look forward to them continuing the great work.
The Ministry of Education’s Digitization initiative is already well in motion in Grand Bahama.
I
take every opportunity to applaud the Honourable Minister of Education
who made a presentation at the most recent GB Tech Summit detailing the
$17m digitization investment project and the Government’s launch of the
fiber optic technology upgrade throughout the government-operated school
system. This upgrade will ensure that each school is a fully
computerized smart school. Also, each school will be provided with
tablets to facilitate this digital initiative.
In Grand Bahama we
are especially pleased to note that in support of the Tech Hub &
Digitization Initiatives, several schools have received donations of
computers and tablets from philanthropists such as Cornell University
Alumni Association (CUAA) representative Joseph Kohler as well as Carl
& Gigi Allen, who are the owners of Walker’s Cay.
In addition
to other technology upgrades such as Smart Boards , some preliminary
work and fibre optic cable installation has been carried out at several
schools in Grand Bahama including The Haven School (PACE), Genesis
Academy, Jack Hayward Junior and Senior High School.
Several other Technology-related training programs are have launched in Grand Bahama:
Through
the YMCA, sponsored by the Government, The ICT Robotic/ Ins- emulation
program launched in January 2019 and went on for a duration of 6 months.
Through this program, 70 Grand Bahamian students from junior high
schools across the islands (Grades 7-9) underwent intense, hands on
training in programs such as Python Application, Computer Coding,
Robotic Stimulation, Computer Technology, as well as Mathematics and
Physics related skills training. As the program now nears completion,
these 70 students are eligible to receive certification in these
disciplines.
I am pleased to announce that beginning
in September 2019 the Office of the Prime Minister will be working with
Urban Renewal Grand Bahama and BTVI to provide Free classes to 100
members of the public that will assist many different demographics of
the nation to get new skills or retrain for different careers and also
obtain professional certificates. This initiate will utilize a blended
environment, cloud labs and skilled trained instructors to benefit
at-risk students, students not currently enrolled in school and adults
looking to gain new skills.
Our office has also received a
proposal from the Bahamas Development Bank to partner with our office to
facilitate the training of Bahamians in software design, coding and app
creation and provide equity funding for the participants to develop
this industry.
I am extremely pleased to inform you that
Grand Bahamians are benefitting immensely from the government making
BTVI and UB free for qualifying Bahamians.
At present at I
am advised in BTVI Grand Bahama, of the 500+ students enrolled over the
2018/19 academic year, approximately 250 of those students benefited
from the free tuition scholarship program. The Approximate amount of
total expenditure for this group of students -$320,000. In essence,
Grand Bahamians were able to save approximately 320,000 in fees and keep
this money in their pockets or invest.
University of the
Bahamas Northern Campus officials have advised that it estimates that as
of Fall 2019, Grand Bahamians can save some $1,714,920 - possibly more.
This is possible under the following circumstances:
- An enrollment increase from 379 in Spring 2019 to some 573 for Fall 2019
- All 573 students enrolled are academically qualified to receive the benefits
-
A number of students who have stopped studies due to lack of funds or
have chosen to attend other institutions return to UB North
- Many UB current part-time students have become full time in order to be eligible for the benefits
In
closing, I commend BTVI for designing this program in alignment with
the government’s vision for Grand Bahama and equipping these young minds
with the tools they need to ready themselves for an impending change in
the job market. And to you students, I bid you congratulations on being
accepted into this program and I encourage you to work hard this
summer. We look forward to all that you will achieve.
Thank you - good morning.
© Copyright 2019 by thebahamasweekly.com
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