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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Members of the bi-partisan political committee for a shared vision for education 2030. Pictured from left: Mrs. Nicole Campbell, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Lionel Sands, Director of Education; the Hon Melanie Griffin, Minister of Social Services; the Hon Sharon Wilson, President of The Senate; the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology; The Hon. Carl Bethel, FNM representative; Hubert Chipman, FNM representative; the Hon Alfred Sears, Chairman of the College of The Bahamas and Mark Humes, DNA representative. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Members of the bi-partisan political committee for a shared vision for education 2030 held the committee’s first meeting at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on Monday, April 15. Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald said “today can be regarded as an historic day in education, and indeed, our nation.”
Members representing the official opposition serving on the committee are the Hon. Desmond Bannister, the Hon. Hubert Chipman and Mr. Carl Bethel. Representing the Democratic National Alliance is Mark Humes and the government is represented by the Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage, the Hon. Allyson Maynard, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, the Hon. Melanie Griffin and chairman of the College of The Bahamas Mr. Alfred Sears.
Minister Fitzgerald said each and every member of the committee has one thing in common for the nation, unbridled passion for its growth and development.
“The confirmation of our commitment to this passion is realised in our participation on the political committee for a shared vision for Education 2030," he said. "The persons here are no strangers to you and have all agreed to join me for a cause far greater than self or party – the education of our people and the future of our nation."
On the committee are former ministers of education, each of whom has brought some value to education during their tenure, which is no coincidence, Minister Fitzgerald said.
The Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage is credited with instituting the Family Life and Health Curriculum in the Public Education System and the introduction of the Technical Cadet programme; Mr. Alfred Sears for expanding pre-schools and establishing the Institute for Educational Leadership; a training programme for school administrators;
Mr. Carl Bethel implemented the protocols for the vetting of new teachers and introduced a draft 10-year plan for education, and the Hon. Desmond Bannister introduced and enforced new guidelines for the hiring of new teachers based on the critical needs in the public education system.
“I also wish to acknowledge and thank the Hon. Sharon Wilson, president of the Senate who has agreed to serve as chairman for the National Education Committee for as shared vision for education 2030," said the Minister.
Mrs. Wilson is a former teacher and magistrate. Members of her committee will include educators from both the public and private sector, representatives from the Bahamas Union of Teachers, and the Bahamas Educators Management Union, students from the College of The Bahamas and senior high schools.
It is intended that this NEC will meet and submit a written report to the political committee outlining the vision and national policy directive for education based on a set of mandates given to them.
Minister Fitzgerald said both committees will then meet and discuss the report.
"I expect that a policy document entitled a Shared Vision for Education 2030 will emerge, bearing the signatures of the chairman of the national education committee and those of each of the political committee members. It is our intention to remove partisan politics from the business of educating people. We all agree as our prime minister has stated 'Education, not money is the cure to poverty and likewise education, not jail is the solution to crime.'
“As I stated, the goal of the National Education Committee is to develop ideas that transition into a plan and ultimately policies, which govern education in our country for the next 15-20 years," said Mr. Fitzgerald.
The Minister said It is not a PLP, FNM or DNA plan, but a Bahamian plan for the direction education is to take for the advancement of the Bahamian people
"We have signed on to work as a team to tackle the issues and the problems facing education so that we can maximise our limited resources. It is intended that this plan will not be impacted by any change in government and that it will continue regardless of the political party in power so that there is no disruption in policies, plans, programmes and funding," he said.
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