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