Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe can tout that there is an "educated, qualified and intelligent" Bahamian heading every Bahamas tourism office throughout the world. It is against this backdrop that he believes that every Bahamian can excel, but he is still concerned about the quality of education being offered to Bahamian students.
Giving his contribution to a Bill for an Act to establish a National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas, the West End and Bimini MP told Parliamentarians that there must be higher standards of education in The Bahamas but the extra push needed to excel must begin at the primary, high school and tertiary levels.
"This legislation is good, but people must ensure that standards are higher and it is important that the country can deliver what is expected," Mr Wilchcombe said. "We must ensure that the 300,000 people living here are educated and we must ensure that the Bahamian people are ready for the challenges." Once established, a national accreditation and equivalency council of The Bahamas will be the principal body for conducting and advising on the accreditation and recognition of education and training institutions in The Bahamas.
Mr Wilchcombe gave his full support to the establishment of the Council but pointed out that in addition to setting higher standards for education across the board, Bahamians must be prepared to meet the challenges that arise if they are not well educated. Citing an example of the opportunities that can be reaped by well-educated Bahamians, the West End MP said the Ginn Company in Freeport, Grand Bahama will pump some $4 million into the economy of Grand Bahama and qualified Bahamians are needed to operate the facility. He noted that the country will have to recruit qualified individuals from abroad if Bahamians are not well educated and referred to the recent hiring of 16 Cuban teachers to work in government schools throughout The Bahamas.
"I strongly believe that as we address this issue, it is important that we put our hearts and minds into educating Bahamians," Mr Wilchcombe said.
Garden Hills MP Veronica Owens said a standards – based education system will level the playing field and make all aspects of education accountable. She noted that strong academic standards are essential for providing the sturdy foundation needed to improve student achievement and regain public confidence in the educational system.
"This Bill will give life-long learners in this country a new lease on life, and give all children, no matter what their challenges may be, a fair chance to maximise their potential. With the establishment of standards, through an Accreditation and Equivalency Council, we must ensure that the standards we set for future generations are high. They only limit on the brain is that which we put in place."
By: TAMARA McKENZIE, The Nassau Guardian
