NASSAU, Bahamas – Given the challenges of providing “top quality education” in the 21st century, “it is imperative” to find ways to prepare Bahamians with skills needed to survive, Bahamas Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Alfred Sears said.
“With this concept, education cannot be confined from five to 16. Education and the process of learning must be a lifetime exercise for every person in the Bahamas.
“As a team we must hold ourselves accountable for providing opportunities that lead to a well educated population,” Mr. Sears said at the opening of the Inaugural Meeting of Subject Councilors Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at the Radisson Cable Beach Hotel.
The Ministry of Education in conjunction with the 18th National Education Conference Committee (NEC) is spearheading the meeting.
The NEC committee formed by representatives from education, community, government, church, business and industry, was set up in December 2004 with the specific mandate of transforming the country’s education system, Mr. Sears explained.
The collaborative effort was a success leading to a milestone, the inaugural meeting, Minister said.
“I must applaud the efforts and commitment of the NEC Committee, which resulted in the creation and adoption of the Declaration of Commitment of Education in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas by participants in the 18th NEC,” he said, “
The work plan set out by the Declaration of Commitment will “unquestionably” enable stakeholders to maintain a dialogue and provide opportunities for applying their collective wisdom to informing and assisting in the transformation exercise.
“Our implementation of phase one of the work plan will require the establishment of three temporary subject councilors and a subject council coordinating committee charged with responsibility for conducting an examination of our national education system using the recommendations emanating out of the 18th NEC.”
The council committee is expected to report its findings during the mid-term review scheduled for July.
“I have been informed,” Mr. Sears said, “that phase two will see the establishment of 17 permanent subject councils charged with undertaking assessment of specific subject areas.”
According to the Minister, the NEC committee secured the adoption of the work plan and published the 18th NEC report including a copy in brail.
In addition, the 18th NEC handbook has been published, a DVD of the 18th NEC has been produced, and meetings have been held with stakeholders from Inagua to Bimini.
The committee also coordinated the nominations of more than 130 subject councilors who deliberated over the two days.
He told the subject councilors they must play an important role in encouraging students to embrace learning, promote best practices and achieve and sustain stellar performances in schools.
“You are our strategic partners in this education initiative, so I encourage you to let us work aggressively together, to help establish higher standards for our schools, for our administrators, our teachers, our students and indeed our community.
“In this 21st century, change is the only constant: Changing technology, changing competition, changing workforce.
“We in education are depending on you to help us build our students, gain the skills they will need to adapt to this change. Together we can achieve this and let us to it.”
