Letters to The Editor
Bannister: Pray For Our Children
By Thomas Desmond Bannister, Former Minister Of Education
Sep 4, 2016 - 8:15:39 PM


Nassau, Bahamas - On Monday our precious children will return to schools throughout our country that are in the worst state of disrepair in modern memory.  Several of the school campuses are in such a woeful state that they are downright dangerous.

It is telling that this government has prioritized the spending of millions of our hard earned tax dollars on a weekend party called Carnival, but refuses to make a similar investment in the education of our innocent young children; a group that represents hope for the future of our country.

The acute shortage of teachers that we face on opening day is a scandalous shame and is painful to see.  Thousands of our bright young children will be reporting to classrooms without teachers.  Many will have no desks or chairs.

I call upon the Minister of Education, if he truly cares about accountability, to publicly provide an accounting of the shortage of teachers in each school, so that parents will be fully informed of the plight that their children face.  But I know that my plea will fall on deaf ears.  He will not do so.  This is not a government of accountability.

It is my prayer that Bahamian parents will refuse to remain silent in the face of this educational crisis.  Our children deserve better, and we need to stand up for them.


I urge parents to make the time to accompany their children to school this week and to take note of the state of disrepair and lack of preparation:

        *       Classrooms are overcrowded

        *       Repairs are incomplete

        *       There is an acute shortage of desks and chairs

        *       Teachers are unhappy at how they are being treated

        *       Sanitary facilities are in terrible condition

        *       Teachers and custodians have only minimal supplies

        *       Many campuses are dirty and unkempt

Our parents are the most important stakeholders in education.  It’s important that they let their voices be heard.  Our teachers and our children are counting on you.  They deserve better.  We pray for them this school year.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his/her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of TheBahamasWeekly.com