FREEPORT - Minister for Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald said he will be visiting - in most cases unannounced - schools across Grand Bahama and New Providence to ensure the new government's policies and programmes are being carried out.
He also said that after the Budget Debate, he will be meeting with journalists in an effort to get them to focus on the more positive things that are happening in public education.
Mr Fitzgerald was speaking during the annual Speech Day and Awards Ceremony for the graduating class of the Walter Parker Primary School.
After watching a display of talent by the students at the Community at Heart Tabernacle on Coral Road, the special guest speaker said: "I hope tonight is on the news, that this is the lead story. I hope when I open the papers tomorrow, I see it on the front page.
"I made it a point when I became Minister of Education to continue to press this point that we talk about and put forth all the great things that are going on in education, and all the great things in our young people, and indeed the future is bright.
"So you will see with the Ministry of Education, we will be expanding our communications department. I will be calling in members of the media next week after the budget to talk about what we expect of the media moving forward. Because, there is no way in my mind, with all the great stuff that is going on, that we can't have our children more prominent."
The minister told the graduates that their theme for the occasion, "Celebrating a Season of Greatness - The Journey continues", reflects on their accomplishments during their time at Walter Parker Primary, and their next step in life.
"I see from your programme booklet, that many of you used your time here wisely and learned your lessons. You listened to your teachers and studied hard and for this you will be rewarded," he said.
Mr Fitzgerald went on to congratulate the Class Valedictorian, Dante Rolle, who recently achieved national success as the first runner-up in the National Spelling Bee Competition and later went on to represent the country at a competition in Washington DC.
He also took the opportunity to applaud Chazztin Bowe for being selected as the nominee for Walter Parker Primary at the Primary School Student of the Year Competition and being selected as a semi-finalist.
Comments
sansoucireader 12 years, 5 months ago
Did I just read correctly? "I will be calling in members of the media next week after the budget to talk about what we expect of the media moving forward." Did Minister Fitzgerald hear his own words? Sounds to me like censorship of the media is on the way.
Also, has any Minister of Education ever sent his child to a government school, or any MP for that matter? Seems like they all prefer St. Expensive's at the eastern and western ends of the island.
Finally, I thought a girl from Long Island, Paloma Cartwright I believe was her name, represented the Bahamas in the recent US Spelling Bee not Dante Rolle from Grand Bahama.
cmiller 12 years, 5 months ago
Please!!! Any minister can come along and start as many new programmes as he wants. If teachers do not see where it makes sense, trust me, the programme fails. So, Mr Minister, spend more time uplifting teachers, not telling them what they will be doing and that you will come to watch and make sure they are doing it!! Who you? They will ask that question, but maybe not where you can hear it!
notsogullible 12 years, 5 months ago
So said, ...
TalRussell 12 years, 5 months ago
Comrade Minister need i remind you that visiting Grand Bahamians infrequently and unannounced was something the red shirts did for five long years. Grand Bahamians went to the polls with a reluctant tug to trust PM Christie on Decision Day 2012, and they sure as hell didn't do it to see their MP's and government showing up infrequently and announced as if they're being once again used. They tired waiting for real help to restart their paychecks.
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positiveinput 12 years, 5 months ago
Cmiller, if that is what teachers would say or think then they cant feel bad when students dont respect them. Their motivation should be the salary they receive to do their job. We complained that our children are out of hand, so now that they're receiving encouragement - let it be. Children often mimic what they see so for a student to notice a teacher disrespecting their authority figure guest who they (the students) will disrespect. Anyway anything to encourage a child to do better is worth a try. With a student equipt with education, this whole Bahamaland, even the world would spin better.
nicolae 11 years, 11 months ago
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