The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is targeting an 85 per cent graduation rate by 2030, Education Director Dominique McCartney-Russell announced last night, while also revealing plans to strengthen literacy and numeracy, invest in staff development and improve governance and accountability.

Her remarks came as the ministry unveiled its strategic roadmap for transforming the country’s education system, alongside a new brand and an independent non-profit foundation aimed at attracting greater investment in the sector.

Mrs McCartney-Russell said the ministry’s action plan centres on four priorities, beginning with students.

She said the ministry must strengthen literacy and numeracy, identify learning needs early and ensure every child has a pathway to success through academics, technology, entrepreneurship, innovation or technical and vocational training.

The second priority, she said, is the Bahamian people, stressing that “no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers and leaders”.

She said the ministry must invest in professional development, strengthen leadership and support excellence across the teaching profession.

"Our third priority is really how we work," she added. "We must improve governance, management, and accountability, ensuring that our efforts, small and great, remain focused on student success."

The ministry’s fourth priority is to modernise the education system through digital transformation, improved infrastructure and the development of schools equipped to meet 21st-century demands, she added.

"These are not separate ambitions," Mrs McCartney-Russell continued. "They are our connected commitments to one national goal, giving every Bahamian child a fair opportunity to succeed and so we have a goal of an 85 per cent graduation rate by 2030, and this is a very important key performance indicator, but our true ambition is even greater."

"We want a Bahamas where opportunity is not determined by geography or circumstance."

However, she stressed that the government cannot do this work alone and called for everyone to do their part, adding that "graduation is everyone's business".

She then referred to the newly launched Bahamas Education, Science and Technology (BEST) Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation designed to give businesses, charitable organisations and other partners a way to contribute resources towards improving schools and expanding opportunities for students.

Education Minister Chester Cooper described the foundation as one "particularly close to his heart".

He said the BEST Foundation, managed by an independent private sector-led board of directors, was created to turn collective goodwill into meaningful educational impact.

"It's not about giving to government. It is about giving to our children and giving them a better chance, a chance to learn, a chance to discover their gifts, a chance to pursue dreams that might otherwise remain beyond their reach," Mr Cooper said.

He urged the public to be part of what he described as an education revolution.

The event, held at Baha Mar and attended by Prime Minister Philip Davis and other government officials, featured student performances and video messages from Family Island teachers highlighting the need for more resources for students and staff.

Students also shared the opportunities and resources they would like to see made available to them.