Bahamas News

With schools set to re-open in September, Education Minister reviews work taking place at schools on Grand Bahama

Published

6 years ago

August 17, 2018

#GrandBahama, August 17, 2018 – Bahamas – Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Jeffery Lloyd was in Grand Bahama on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 to view of the preparations taking place at some of the schools on the island, as the date draws near for schools across the country to reopen.

The Education Minister and his delegation, made up of the Permanent Secretary and other Ministry of Education officials, toured the Holmes’ Rock Junior High school, which is still in the process of being completed, Bartlett Hill Primary, the Eight Mile Rock High School, as well as Freeport Primary and Walter Parker Primary schools.

Minister Lloyd also took time out of the tour to meet with consultants and principals of the schools where repair works are still being carried out. While he said he was happy to see that work was still being carried out on the schools in desperate need of repairs, the Minister said that he was not totally satisfied in the time frame for the completion of the work.

“The school in Holmes’ Rock is something which the residents have been anxiously awaiting, and the fact is this school is needed in this community so that we can properly house the students of this community,” said Minister Lloyd, upon completion of the tour of the proposed new school in Holmes’ Rock in West Grand Bahama.

The contractors estimate that the school should be completed by January of 2019.

“We’ve had an opportunity to speak to the project manager and we’re looking forward to speaking to the other contractor so that we can finalize a few items that we would like to be considered in terms of addition and possible upgrades. But I don’t think that would be a challenge in terms of that presenting or causing a delay for the completion date in 2019.”

After leaving the Holmes’ Rock Junior High School, Minister Lloyd and his entourage drove to the Eight Mile Rock High School, which had its own share of problems even before the school year had ended in June.

Minister Lloyd noted that the concerns regarding the Eight Mile Rock High School should be something of the past, because, as far as he knew, the “all clear” was given, indicating that it was safe for students to occupy when the school year begins, and once all of the repairs were completed. There was a problem with persistent mold at the Eight Mile Rock High School, but the Ministry of Education had made it a priority to extensively deal with that situation.

“Those concerns should be no more, because we have been given an all clear by the Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Public Health,” said Minister Lloyd. “We have requested an extensive review of that environment to ascertain precisely what the challenges were, if any, and they have done that.

“They have provided us a report and the report indicates that there are no challenges at this point at that school and whatever challenges that had existed have been rectified. So we have no reason to be concerned and we invite the school population, we invite the community not to have any concerns, because we have been given the all clear by both the Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Public Health.”

Although Bartlett Hill Primary was not on the official itinerary for the Minister and his delegation, Minister Lloyd requested a stop at the Primary School, which had been severely impacted by hurricanes in 2016. While much work had been carried out on the school, there were still some repairs that needed to be made before school opens for the fall semester. Minister Lloyd said it was an area of concern for his Ministry.

“This school is 20 years or so past its shelf life and so everyone is trying to make do with it and patching it as they go long,” said Minister Lloyd. “But we are in need of major school replacements throughout the country.

“This is a point that we have discussed with the Prime Minister. There are a number of schools throughout the country that are in desperate need of replacement – not just upgrades, but simple replacement, because they have long past their shelf life. And as the resources permit, we are going to address that problem. Bartlett Hill is one of the schools on our agenda to be addressed.”

The Education Minister said that it has become an urgent requirement that the Government address the situation at Bartlett Hill, so that the lives of teachers and students are not put in jeopardy.

In fact, following the tours of the various schools on the island, Minister Lloyd met with contractors and principals of schools to discuss the on-going works at the school and to ascertain the expected time of completion of those works.

By: Andrew Coakley

Release: BIS

Header: Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Jeffery Lloyd (right) asks Principal of Eight Mile Rock, Chester Cooper about the work that has taken place thus far at the Eight Mile Rock High School, during the Minister’s tour of the school. At left is Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Iram Lewis.

First insert:Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Jeffery Lloyd gives members of the Grand Bahama media an update on his tour of schools on the island, Wednesday, August 15, 2018.

Second insert: Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Jeffery Lloyd (left) asks contractor, Ali Rolle about one of the class rooms at the Holmes’ Rock Junior High School, which is being constructed in West Grand Bahama. It was the first school which Minister Lloyd toured during his visit to Grand Bahama on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.

(BIS photos by Lisa Davis)

Bahamas News

Royal Caribbean Club in The Bahamas started after delays

Published

1 hour ago

April 25, 2024

Shanieka

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.

Bahamas News

Nassau Cruise Port Donates Nearly $2 Million Towards Food Security

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

Shanieka

Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards
projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim
to increase food security for The Bahamas.

The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister
of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour
Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise
Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a
poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the
redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic
Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,

Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.

“I had the privilege to listen the presentations and review presentations that
touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a
Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited
about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors
that we have each year,” he said.

“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further
development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests
visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas
and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”

Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates,
hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate.
Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by
the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,”
she said.

“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community
in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is
going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but
also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares
is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we
look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors
when this amazing renovation is done.”

Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.

“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are
several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at
the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership
and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a
better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.

Bahamas News

Career Symposium 2024 Connects University Students with Successful Professionals

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

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.