The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration has set out an ambitious agenda to for further education reform in the upcoming budget, promising salary increases for teachers, higher grants for special needs schools and major school upgrades.

Finance Minister Michael Halkitis also revealed plans to construct a new high school in Grand Bahama, describing the projects as part of efforts to ensure students have access to safe, modern, and well-equipped learning environments.

His comments came as he presented the 2025/27 budget in the House of Assembly yesterday.

The government has allocated $141.9m for the Ministry of Education, according to budget documents.

Under this budget, Mr Halktis said key initiatives will include summer repair and upgrade programs across public primary and secondary schools to address critical maintenance needs.

He also promised increased grants for boards of special schools, including the Stapledon School, the Center for the Deaf, and School for the Blind funded through the Caribbean Development Bank.

He said the government will continue investing in technical and vocational education, digitising student records, and expanding funding for the National School Breakfast Programme.

Regarding teachers, he promised salary increases under a new five-year industrial agreement with the Bahamas Educators, Counsellors and Allied Workers Union, effective July 1, 2026.

He also pledged support for the completion of the Bahamas Polytechnical Institute that he says would expand tertiary level technical and professional training opportunities.

“Madam Speaker, these investments go beyond infrastructure,” Mr Halkitis said.  “They are about strengthening the entire education ecosystem by modernizing facilities, expanding access, and improving administrative systems. We are equipping our young people with the tools, skills, and opportunities needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. In doing so, we are investing directly in the future strength and resilience of The Bahamas.”

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, the new Minister of Education, Science and Technology, has said that his new role will focus on shaping the country’s future through youth development and national empowerment