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Bahamas public school science labs to get a $18 million dollar revamp
By Kathryn Campbell
Jul 29, 2015 - 11:52:48 AM

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Minister Jerome Fitzgerald Addresses the UNESCO-Ministry of Education STI Workshop, July 27, at Melia Nassau Beach Resort. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Eighteen million dollars have been earmarked to revamp science laboratories in the public school system, improve the science curriculum and retrain science teachers and administrators. The Government is in the process of securing a $14 million loan from the Inter-American Bank, which will be used over the next 2-3 years to undertake these initiatives. The Government will secure the other $4 million from direct investments. The loan will be implemented in 2016 and signed off before the end of 2015.

The Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology made the announcement at the opening of a national workshop on Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy and Indicators at Melia Nassau Beach Resort, on Monday, July 27.

The three-day workshop is organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for representatives of various sectors in the community including government, education, business and industry.

The fundamental objectives of the workshop are:

· To orient participants to the STI Policy process and STI indicators that will guide the preparation of an STI Policy;

· To discuss a STI Policy roadmap for The Bahamas;

· To review and finalize an STI Policy proposal;

· To finalize the funding proposal for Mapping/Assessment and STI Policy preparation and

· To identify potential donors and funding institutions

Dr. Leon Higgs, Secretary General, Bahamas National Commission for UNESCO termed the workshop as an “extraordinary” adventure that is “pivotal” in developing a process that will ultimately result in The Bahamas playing a major role in creating ideas and concepts to guide and assist the development of technology and science in The Bahamas.

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UNESCO-Ministry of Education STI Workshop Audience, July 27, at Melia Nassau Beach Resort. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

“This initiative will have a major impact on the economy of the country thus encouraging job opportunities for our aspiring young scientists, engineers, technologists and science educators,” he said.

Minister Fitzgerald said, “The Government of The Bahamas, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, is pleased with this collaboration with UNESCO, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization in assisting us with the development of a National STI Policy. This strategic alliance will go a long way in helping us to achieve our goals in the development of the STI National Policy and the adoption and utilization of the STI Policy once it is completed. It is good to see so many different sectors represented here which will indeed facilitate wide sector adoption.”

He urged the participants to use the workshop to think outside the box, imagine the possibilities, collaborate with enthusiasm, and to focus on not just the here and now, but with foresight of what the future holds and the evolution of STI during the next 15 years.

Present at the opening ceremony were: Althea Hamilton-Grant, Assistant Director of Education, Mabel Walker Professional Development Institute; Donella Bodie, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; and other senior government officials. The Urban Renewal Band provided entertainment for the event. Sessions leaders include Martin Schaaper, UNESCO Institute for Statistics; and Ernesto Fernandez Polcuch, UNESCO Montevideo; Dr. Karen St. Cyr, Project Manager in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; and Dr. Higgs.


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