The Honourable T. Desmond Bannister, Mrs. Elma
Garraway, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Lionel Sands, Director of Education, senior officials
and staff of the Ministry of Education join with all citizens of The
Commonwealth of The Bahamas in offering condolences to the family of Dr. Keva
Bethel on her passing. The
Ministry expresses extreme sadness on this occasion for an educator who has made
significant contributions to the development of education in our nation.
Dr. Bethel’s legacy is indelible and far-reaching as
she served as a teacher, head of department and deputy headmistress at the
Government High School. During
this time she also participated in planning initiatives undertaken for the
establishment of the College of The Bahamas. In 1975, she transferred to the new institution where she
initially served as the first Chairperson of the Division of Humanities,
Academic Dean and Vice Principal.
In 1982, she was appointed Principal of the College and in 1995, when
the College of The Bahamas Act came into existence she was named the
institution’s first President. During
her tenure as Principal/President of the College, access to tertiary education
locally became readily available and more persons came to recognize the
institution as a place where their hopes and dreams could be fulfilled through
education.
In 1993, Dr. Bethel was called on to chair the
National Task Force on Education that evaluated the existing education system
and recorded the findings in the highly regarded National Task Force on
Education Report which today still serves as blueprint for the advancement of
education in The Bahamas. It is no coincidence that the report in many circles
is referred to as the “Bethel Report”, reflecting Dr. Bethel’s leadership and her
dedication to the work of the committee. Her involvement in other organizations symbolised
excellence, integrity and adherence to standards. Notable among these were: the Education Committee overseeing
the Government Guaranteed Student Loans; Ministry of Tourism’s Cacique Awards
Blue Ribbon Panel, Primary School Student of the Year Foundation, Cable Care
Foundation and The Bahamas Guides Association.
Dr. Bethel’s continued contribution to education in
The Bahamas is evident in her children, Edward and Dr. Nicolette Bethel who
have followed in her footsteps as educators and service to the Bahamian
people. The Education family will
cherish her legacy and continue to hold to her vision for a Bahamas where each
citizen can achieve their goals through higher learning.
