The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie has reaffirmed ties with the Cuban government that have allowed special needs children to receive quality education in the Bahamas.

The partnership, which was sparked out of a shortage of special needs teachers, dates back to 2003 and has allowed more than 100 Cuban educators to be placed at various schools throughout the country.

Speaking at the 10th anniversary service of the Bahamas-Cuba Education Agreement, yesterday Mr Christie said the government realised now more than ever the need for another facility for parents who cannot afford care for their disabled children.

The event was held at the Sybil Blyden Centre, Stapledon School, Dolphin Drive.

The PM said: “A facility should be left in place where they can be exposed to cultural practices, industrial practices and even therapeutic interventions. That is necessary. And so that is a commitment that I will make to ensuring that we bring that about within this term.”

When the programme was first launched, 130 students were studying. Officials had hoped that the initiative would strengthen relations between both countries and according to Mr Christie, it has paid off.

“Cuba is regarded as a dependable source of educators to fill the void which exists in specialty areas in our curriculum. For the Bahamas we have acquired the services of well qualified teaching professionals to provide instruction in the areas of special education, physical education, technical and vocational studies and visual and performing arts.”

Other dignitaries in attendance were Cuban Ambassador to the Bahamas Ernesto Guzman, Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald, and Lionel Sands, Education Director.