The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

IF the Free National Movement is elected to office next month, the party plans to implement sweeping changes to the country’s education system including the increase of police presence on school campuses, CCTV and other technology for monitoring and an increase of teacher compensation packages.

The FNM also pledged to increase expenditure on educational infrastructure to reduce class sizes and increase its investment in education to facilitate human resources and training.

The party made the promises in its manifesto, published on its website, where the FNM said it is in agreement with the Progressive Liberal Party’s 2016 National Development Plan Secretariat.

The secretariat identified five key areas of challenges in the country’s educational system. Among these is a national skills deficit; substandard numeracy, literacy and oral skills; a lack of inclusiveness in society; lack of inclusiveness in education and unemployment.

To implement comprehensive changes, the FNM said its education agenda will be comprised of four fundamental principles. The organisation plans to commit to all stakeholders, recognition and encouragement that learning and skills development never stops; understanding that all students have a fundamental right to become economically productive and capable of competing successfully and the creation of stimulating and rewarding learning environments.

The manifesto noted: “The Free National Movement proposes to comprehensively address the identified challenges in the following manner: end social promotion in the school system; increase investments in education – human resources and training, private sector involvement and technical vocational training; by greater investment in the continuous training, retraining and professional development of teachers and educational professionals; increase expenditure on educational infrastructure to reduce class sizes and provide greater resources for the educational establishment; recruit interested Bahamian candidates for teaching careers through attractive incentives; increase investment in technical and vocational education in high schools; encourage and financially support through tax breaks and subventions, private sector involvement in education subject to rigorous regulatory standards.”

The Education Act also will be amended to mandate pre-school learning for all two and a half year old children.

In response to several instances of school related violence, the FNM added that it will ensure that effective security protocols are established and properly trained security personnel are in place and managed at all public schools. This will be supported by utilising “metal detectors to screen all personnel and the school parameters; increase police presence during critical hours before and after school at campuses and school routes to prevent and intervene in potential conflicts; enhance the use of CCTV and other technology with real time monitoring of school premises.”

And despite the push back to FNM shadow Education Minister Jeff Lloyd’s plan to introduce a pilot plan for single gender schools, the manifesto said there are plans to launch single gender classes at the junior high school level to assist in closing gaps between the achievements of girls and boys.

Human resources is another area that the FNM plans to reform.

The party said it would establish a National Educational Commission; increase teacher compensation packages and provide teachers and educational professionals with at least 10 years service and who meet prescribed criteria, with a paid sabbatical for professional development and recertification.