|
From thebahamasweekly.com - Grand Bahama
Freeport, Bahamas – The inaugural Safe Driving Simulator Program on Grand Bahama reached a successful milestone on Thursday with the graduation of eleven initial participants. The re-launched program is a joint initiative of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited, (GBPA) and PharmaChem Technologies (GB) Ltd, in cooperation with the Road Traffic Department and the Ministry of Education. Since the Fall of last year, students from Eight Mile Rock Senior High School, Jack Hayward High School and St. George’s High School were instructed in the fundamentals of road safety using two high-tech, modern driving simulators. After successfully completing the simulated lessons, driving instructor, Allison Knowles of Elshadai’s Learn to Drive, conducted practical, on-the-road training with each student. By Thursday’s ceremony, five students had successfully obtained their official driving licences. GBPA generously covered expenses for all of the students for their practical driving tutelage, final driving exam and first-time drivers’ licence. “In addition to collaborating with the various partners, GBPA sought to assist in a tangible way by covering these expenses that might otherwise serve as an impediment to some in obtaining their licences,” explained Geneva Rutherford, Director of Community Relations – GBPA.
“I would like to remind
you that along with a driver’s licence come much responsibility,”
cautioned Minister Grant. “It is my hope that as graduates of this
course and as future motor vehicle drivers, you will always remember to apply
the lessons learnt in your travel on our streets and highways.”
The graduates included: Valedictorian, Kenton Smith, Jack Hayward High School; Salutatorian, Bianca Williams, Eight Mile Rock High School; Antonio Russell, St. George’s High School; Terez Tomlinson, Jack Hayward High School; Ricardo Butterfield, Eight Mile Rock High School; Timmesha Forbes, St. George’s High School; Vincent Charlton, Eight Mile Rock High School; Chryshawnda Adams, Jack Hayward High School; Lejend Williams, St. George’s High School; Genae Forbes, St. Georges High School; and Charles Rose, Jack Hayward High School. With the outstanding achievement of the pilot group, the safe driving simulator program now opens up to the island’s private schools with classes commencing on Friday March 12 for the first group of private school students. In addition, plans are well underway to officially establish the simulator course into the high school curriculum. “The Ministry of Education (MOE) is diligently discussing introducing a driver’s education course under ‘Family Life and Health’. Along with practical training on the driving simulators, the program would cover additional courses such as Basic Vehicle Knowledge, Vehicle Management, Maintenance, Purchasing, Insurance, etc,” revealed Herbert Marshall, Senior Education Officer, MOE. The permanent establishment of the simulator driving program is a personal wish of PharmaChem Technologies, President, Pietro Stefanutti. In addressing the graduates, Stefanutti related how the simulators became a reality due to the tragic death of his son Erick in a vehicular accident. Looking to the future, Stefanutti expressed, “As the program now moves into another phase, I am optimistic that it will continue to grow to move beyond the high school curriculum to include the general motoring public and even industrial drivers. Also, I look forward to the day when it moves beyond Grand Bahama to become an established requirement for the motoring public in the entire Bahamas.”
© Copyright 2010 by thebahamasweekly.com - |
