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BAHAMAS: Prime Minister Calls for Sustained Partnership Between Church and State to Help the Poor

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#Bahamas, May 31, 2018 – Nassau – Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis said that in order for the least among the people to benefit, there must be a continued partnership between the Church and State.  He was addressing the Bahamas Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention’s 83rd Annual Session, held under the theme: ‘Counting The Cost,’ taken from Matthew 16:24.

In attendance were Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and other officials who assembled among the congregation in the William Thompson Auditorium on Tuesday evening, May 29, 2018.

In congratulating the Baptist community on its stability, the Prime Minister said that the denomination has been a witness to the message of Jesus Christ throughout its history  He also acknowledged the positive impact the Baptist Convention, through its various ministries, has had on the lives of thousands of Bahamians over the years.

“You have also served through servant leadership and social outreach,” he said.  “And you know well the fundamental role of the church in the protection and respect for the dignity of the human person made in the image and likeness of God.”

According to the Prime Minister the Baptist community has taken to heart the instruction from Matthew 25 verses 35-36:  “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

The Baptist community, he said, has a legacy of promoting the common good and social justice.

“The promotion of the common good and social justice requires a sustained partnership between church and state.  We must work together, and work unceasingly, to address the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in our land.

“The greatest privilege of serving as Head of Government is the opportunity to improve the lives of my fellow-Bahamians.  It is a special privilege to work daily to provide our children and young people with opportunities to dream and to realize their dreams,” the Prime Minister said.

He said since coming to office in May 2017 he has a new vantage point to see, more in-depth, the challenges and problems as well as possibilities for the country.  However, the work of good governance requires tough and difficult choices, he noted.

The Prime Minister also said that he is guided by a quote from the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said: “On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it political?’ And Vanity comes along and asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But Conscience asks the question ‘Is it right?’

He continued: “And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor political, nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.”

In order to restore our country and move it in the right direction, some tough choices have been made; and there are more tough choices ahead, the Prime Minister said.   “But in the end we will be a more productive, healthier and more vibrant country because the hard decisions were made.”

He said that his vision and commitment as Prime Minister is to help the Bahamian people, especially the young people, with the resources and opportunities they need to build a good life and a better Bahamas.

These resources include education, health care, social development and economic opportunities including jobs and opportunities to become entrepreneurs and business people, he said.

 

By: Lindsay Thompson (BIS)

Caption: Photos show highlights of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention’s 83rd Annual Session at William Thompson Auditorium on Tuesday evening.  Prime Minister Hubert Minnis addresses the audience and greets the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, and Baptist ministers including the Convention’s President Rev. Dr. William Thompson, and its Executive Secretary Rev. Dr. Delton Fernander.

 

(BIS Photos/Yontalay Bowe)

 

 

Bahamas News

Work of NAECOB critical in ensuring high standards in education, says Minister Hanna-Martin

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By KATHRYN CAMPBELLBahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas, March 29, 2023 – Over 100 schools in New Providence, public and private, and some 30 plus schools in Freeport have been inspected by The National Accreditation and Equivalency Council (NAECOB) to ensure high quality standards for the delivery of education.
“We will cover every island, every cay in this country to make certain that the facilities that we send our children to are adequate, conducive for learning, safe and sound for education,” said Thelma Grimes, chairperson, NAECOB.
“We are going to head to Cat Island and all the others before June.This is our announced visit. They [schools] have a chance to get things fixed that are not finished and [afterwards] we will have the unannounced.”
The Council informed the media of its progress during a briefing Monday, March 20, 2023 at its headquarters, Tonique Williams-Darling Highway.
Howard Newbold, Inspector and Council Member explained that the council’s seven inspectors are tasked with visiting every site or virtual space operating the following: primary/secondary schools, private/secondary, post-secondary, recognized, training, allied health and business institutions among others.
 Mr. Newbold said inspections include an examination of:
 -Safety and security standards-Human security which begins at the entrance to the property’-Physical security: safety mechanisms including smoke detectors, fire alarms and extinguishers (service date verification, and evacuation plan)-Primary grounds, playground equipment, swing sets and slides-Curriculum-Information management system (student records, staff schedules, registration certificate with NAECOB, business license, photos of the national leaders etc.)
The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Institute thanked NAECOB for their efforts. She described their work as “critical” and a part of an overall national thrust to ensure that the quality of education in the country is at a high standard.“We’re the Ministry of Education and they’re our schools. We are accountable to NAECOB. They ensure that what is happening on the campuses throughout the nation meets the physical standards and the qualitative standards of education. You would have heard classroom size and teacher/student ratio. We may have challenges, and we do at the Ministry of Education but when these issues are brought to our attention we are obliged and compelled to seek resolution to ensure that the standards are met.
“This is a quality assurance measure for the Ministry itself and our schools to ensure that public and private and public schools meet these standards. We value that. Because the objective of the Ministry is to ensure that we meet the standards so that our young people who enter these institutions are afforded the best opportunity possible.
 “Education is a cultural value; a norm. We submit ourselves to the work of NAECOB to ensuring what happens is done at least to make the acceptable standards of the delivery of education in our schools,” she said.
Cassia Minnis, registration officer, said “registration” certifies that a local educational institution/provider has met the criteria to offer an educational service in The Bahamas as outlined in the Education Act. She said it is mandatory that all educational institutions/provider offering/proposing to offer an educational service in the Bahamas must be registered according to the NAECOB Act and the Education Act.
 She said NAECOB is aware of “small” schools operating within residential homes and warned that this is in contravention of the law.
She encouraged the public to view listings of all registered institutions on the website at naecob.org
NAECOB is responsible for registering and accrediting primary schools, secondary schools, post-secondary schools, and any institution that offers training in The Bahamas.
 -30-
PHOTO CAPTIONS

BIS Photos/Mark Ford

Header: Seated at the table, from left: – Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin; Dominique McCartney Russell, Acting Director; Cassia Minnis, Registration Officer; Thelma Grimes, Council Chairperson; Howard Newbold, Inspector, Council Member; Shena Williams, Council and Inspector; Dorothy Anderson, Inspector; T. Nicola McKay, Deputy Chairperson;  (seated behind) Willard Barr, Council and Inspector.

1st insert: Thelma Grimes, Council Chairperson

2nd insert: Howard Newbold, Inspector and Council Member

3rd insert: The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training

4th insert: Cassia Minnis, Registration Officer

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Bahamas News

Bahamas Golden Jubilee Events Announced, Celebrations Across 33 Islands & Cays

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#TheBahamas, March 27, 2023 – As the 50th anniversary of our nation’s independence approaches, Bahamians everywhere are teeming with excitement and expectancy around the year-long celebrations set by The National Independence Secretariat.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister joined H.E Leslia Miller Brice, Chair of The National Independence Secretariat to unveil the Calendar of Events for the 50th Independence celebrations.

The calendar comprises a host of events, initiatives and recommendations for celebrations throughout all 33 islands of The Bahamas.

At this jubilant occasion the PM stated, “Celebrating independence is about acknowledging the greatness around us, the greatness within us, and the greatness ahead of us.

We are Bahamians. That identity is special.”

View the newly released calendar of events here:

https://celebrate-bahamas.com/calendar-of-events/…

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Bahamas News

Soca Warriors crush  Bahamas at home

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By Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

 

#TheBahamas, March 27, 2023 – Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors dominated the Bahamas at home, at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau, for the 2022/2023 Concacaf Nations League on Friday, with a 3-0 victory.

The Soca Warriors struck their first blow within the first 5 minutes of the game, with Kareem Moses making the first shot in the top left corner of the net giving T&T one to the Bahamas’ zero (1-0).

Soon after, in about 26 minutes, they made another shot giving them 2-0 away from home; the scorer Joevin Jones. By the 34th minute mark, the winning goal was made by Ryan Telfer, T&T now at three.

Neither team scored any additional goals as the match progressed despite attempts made by various players.

Trinidad’s win gives them 12 points through five matches.  Next match for the Soca Warriors is against  Nicaragua; that clash is set for Monday March 27 (at home in Tobago at the Dwight Yorke Stadium), in a tussle of winner-take-all on the final match day.  The victor takes home a promotion to League A and a spot in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.

Angus Eve, T&T’s head coach expressed that the job is only half done, keeping aware that more challenges are coming their way, one of which is the nearing match against Nicaragua who is one point ahead of the Warriors.

Meanwhile, The Bahamas will journey to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with hopes of emerging victorious there.

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