Honourable Cabinet Colleagues, Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Grand Bahama, our partners in the Caribbean Development Bank, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the official launch of the Bahamas Education Sector Transformation Project, we are taking significant steps toward making the local educational system more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient. This project represents yet another significant investment that we are making in the future success of our children.
Thank you to the Caribbean Development Bank for its role in supporting the development of our nation, as well as the entire region.
As one of the founding members of the Bank, it is an honour for The Bahamas to have played a part in supporting this nation-building work. The CDB’s loans and grants have been instrumental in fostering progress across various sectors.
Locally, major initiatives like the Climate Change Aquaponics project, the Bahamas Mobile Lab Upgrade, and the $100 million commitment to support our nation’s economic recovery and resilience efforts were all funded by the bank.
Today, yet another country-changing initiative will be facilitated by the CDB.
The Bahamas Education Sector Transformation Project, or BEST Project, consists of the construction of the East Grand Bahama Comprehensive School. The design of the new school facility is largely based on input from the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training. The finalised design plans prioritise the safety and well-being of our students, teachers, and staff.
This project also includes the rehabilitation of local schools; as well as the development of an IT strategy and plan for the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training to modernise operations. There is also training and professional development for 2000 school administrators and teachers under the CDB, CARICOM, and OECS Let’s REAP initiative.
The goal of the BEST Project is to enhance our education system, making it more efficient, inclusive, gender-responsive, relevant, and resilient. By investing in infrastructure, curriculum development, teacher training, and technology integration, we will create an environment where every learner can thrive and reach their full potential.
BEST is an investment in providing a quality education to all learners. It is the latest in a series of major initiatives underway at the Ministry of Education as we get the many children we lost during the pandemic back in school, remediate them, revamp the core curriculum, and make a number of changes to modernise our educational system for future success.
We cannot afford to let another year go by without making the necessary investments and rolling out the needed reforms to create a better future for education in The Bahamas – not when education is so closely tied to productivity and economic growth. Not when we are going through a time of rapid change when our children will need to be bold, innovative, critical thinkers capable of competing on the world stage.
The world is going through three major shifts driven by climate change, digital transformation, and population growth. These three challenges are what development experts call the triple transition because of their far-reaching impacts on every sector in society.
If we want to continue to build on the success The Bahamas has enjoyed as the world’s best little country. If we want to continue along the pathway of Bahamian excellence, and ensure that our best days are ahead of us, education is the only way will secure that brighter and better future for our children.
Our children are so resilient. They are so creative, full of joy, and optimistic about the future. We must do everything we can to preserve that worldview as they transition to adulthood. We want them to know that even their biggest dreams and ambitions can be made real.
To the people of Grand Bahama, I want to assure you that this government is fully committed to addressing the social and economic needs of this island and its people. While we knew we needed broad reforms to our system, we also knew that building a new school in Grand Bahama absolutely had to be a part of this project.
Our government is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that every child in our nation has access to the education they deserve, regardless of their background or circumstances.
In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all stakeholders involved in making the Bahamas Education Sector Transformation Project a reality. To the representatives of the Caribbean Development Bank, I want to again convey our sincere gratitude for your continued support and partnership.
I also want to reaffirm our government’s unwavering commitment to the people of Grand Bahama and to all Bahamians.
Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future for our nation—one where education serves as the most powerful catalyst for growth, prosperity, and social cohesion.
Thank you.
And may God continue to bless the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
