Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Government’s Private Pre-School Partnership initiative launched
#Nassau, November 20, 2018 – Bahamas – Marcellus Taylor, Director in the Ministry of Education (MOE) termed the Government’s Private Pre-School Partnership (PPP), an “extra” important initiative as it symbolizes the union of persons who, prior to now, operated separately.
“Today is the crowning moment of our relationship together,” said Mr. Taylor. “It’s been a long time to get to this point…. We’re here now. Thank you for being faithful partners all over the years.”
Mr. Taylor outlined the purpose of the launch of the PPP, the second component of Universal Pre-Primary Education, officially launched by the early Childhood Education Section of the Ministry and Department of Education Wednesday, November 14, 2018 during a ceremony at the Learning Resources Unit, Mackey Street.
A representative of the Office of the Attorney General presented and outlined the terms of the contract between the Government of The Bahamas and private pre-school providers.
In the first phase, the number of 3 and 4-year-olds enrolled in public pre-schools was increased. This phase seeks to increase the number of free spaces available to families who are challenged to pay for pre-school education. Based on the contractual agreement, vouchers of up to $2,000 per child will be provided to secure the enrollment of children in approved, private pre-primary schools.
Mr. Taylor explained the importance of the contract as throughout the years the MOE has systematically worked to improve the relationship between the Ministry and the pre-school providers by introducing training, ongoing professional development opportunities and registering facilities.
He told the operators that the work they do, and the Ministry does, is to get pre-schoolers to the level which requires a deeper level of partnership, which is manifested in the contractual agreement.
“Today symbolizes the formalization of it. As we move forward we know we will continue to work to improve this program so we can get more children enrolled because at the end of the day we want all of our children to have a quality pre-primary education so they enter grade one ready to learn.”
The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, said he is enthralled for the occasion to officialize the relationship between the providers of early childhood education in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Government of The Bahamas through the Ministry of Education.
“Based on our 10-year census there are approximately 12,000 3/4 year-olds in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Today, less than one half of those are enrolled in a MOE registered pre-school programme,” said Minister Lloyd.
“Understand the implications of that. It means that half of our children, or more than half, enter the first grade of the formal education establishment ill-equipped to negotiate those very important academic, vocational, social, emotional, intellectual skills and that in a world where the pace of knowledge acquisition or knowledge development is accelerating at a frenetic pace.”
Minister Lloyd shared a recent experience at a technology conference in Grand Bahama with the pre-school providers and education officials.
“It is mind-blowing what is now today the operating paradigms of the universe in terms of our own lives. 
Augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics and the like are not futuristic. This is no longer Star Wars, this is today the reality of the world in which we live.
“This is a different world that is moving at a pace that is even beyond our imagination of just a few years ago. I am greatly impressed that you have come forward to partner with us to enable us over the next years to facilitate the ambitions and aspirations of our people particularly those who cannot speak for themselves – our three and four-year-olds.”
Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Leja Burrows, Senior Education Officer and Bishop Perry E. Newton, Director, Little Professor’s Academy also participated in the ceremony.
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, gives remarks at the ceremony.
Marcellus Taylor, Director of Education, gives an outline of the purpose of the launch of Private Preschool Partnership.
Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary, presides over the contract signing between pre-primary education providers and the Government of The Bahamas.
Minister Jeff Lloyd.
(Photos/Edgar Arnette, Ministry of Education Communications Department)
—
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.
Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country
recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.
The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.
Ms. Rickell Curry
“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”
Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.
“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.
Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.
Dr. Elizabeth Darville
“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”
Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.
“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.
Mr. Wellington Hepburn
“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”
With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.
“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.
Ms. Samantha Rolle
“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”
The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.
Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365
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