2013-06-13

Minister of Education, Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald made his contribution to the 2013 – 2014 budget debate yesterday in the House of Assembly. You can read his presentation below:

Mr. Speaker

This budget is about the future. In fact this budget is meant to be the first step in securing the future for all Bahamians. It brings to an end 5 years of mismanagement and reckless spending. What a difference a year makes!! Last year this time after a resounding victory at the polls we were faced with the harsh and brutal reality that the FNM under the disastrous leadership of The Rt. Honourable Hubert Ingraham had positioned our beloved Bahamaland on the brink of economic ruin.

Mr. Speaker

We knew it was bad, but even the most imaginative amongst us could not have imagined the depth of mismanagement, incompetence and sheer arrogance that would beset us.

How could we have imagined that for 5 years senior members of the Ministry of Finance were never called to the Cabinet to give a briefing on the true state of our economy, or to voice their concerns?

How could we have imagined that there would only be 3 million dollars of short term borrowing available to us? That the country’s overdraft was increased by 100M from 100M to 200M and that it was all used up. How could we have imagined that the narcissist mind of the then leader would agree to sell 9% of the government’s 49% in BTC to cover this 100M?

How could we have imagined that the 25M that Parliament had authorized for the 52-week program had actually doubled to almost 50M?

How could we have imagined that thousands were employed in the weeks and months leading up to the 2012 General Election?

How could we have imagined that in 2 Family Island constituencies scores of people were hired on Election Day?

How could we have imagined that in North Abaco alone over 400 persons were on the 52-week program? Almost 15% of the persons who voted in North Abaco in the May 7th General Election were on the 52-week program. How could we have imagined that?

Mr. Speaker

Despite the shock and horror we experienced when faced with these unexpected realities we got straight to work. This has been a year of cleaning-up. It has been a year of realigning our ministries and economy; of tightening our expenditure; and of bringing even further clarity to our will and vision for The Bahamas in the most challenging of times. It has been a year when we have had to restore the faith of our people in the prospect for good governance in the most dismal of times. But alas: It has been a successful year!

Mr. Speaker

The Budget before us is the best Budget we have had in the past 4 years. We accept that the 2007/2008 Budget was ours, and was in place when we were voted out on May 2nd of 2007. So confident were the FNM when they took office and saw that the year before we had produced an 8M surplus they proudly predicted that they would produce a 25M surplus and that the Bahamian economy was decoupling from the US economy. From the minute that statement came out of the former PM mouth I knew we were in trouble. How could anyone worth his salt state that we were separating ourselves and not reliant of the US economy. It’s absurd!!

Mr. Speaker,

Likewise we accept that the 2012/2013 Budget was the FNM’s, and was in place before they were voted out on May 7th, 2012. Fundamentally, it is impossible to change a Budget in less than 3 weeks.

PLP BUDGET HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

Mr. Speaker,

It is against this backdrop that I have chosen to theme my Budget presentation, “PLP Budget Hits All The Right Notes”. I must ensure for copyright purposes to note that these words ought to be attributed to the global Credit Rating Agency, MOODY’S.

Mr. Speaker

Even before MOODY’S made this statement it wasn’t difficult to endorse this as the best Budget presented to this honourable Chamber in the past 4 years. All one had to do was read the editorials of two of the daily newspapers the morning after the Budget Communication was read in this place by the Rt. Honourable Prime Minister. One editor questioned the crime statistics, and the other said Thank You Hubert Ingraham. Not a word about the Budget that had just been tabled in the House of Assembly. Not a single word. Not even a reference. Nothing, nada, zilch.

Mr. Speaker

A day or so later hidden in the Business Section of one of those dailies was the stamp of approval from the credit rating agency MOODY’S. It read: PLP budget “hits all the right notes”. This then put the question to rest. This is the best budget presented to this Parliament in the last 4 years! Our last year in office in 2007 we left with an 8 million dollar surplus.

Mr. Speaker

It is indeed unfortunate that one can open a local daily in this country and find it encumbered with political bias, even to the extent of disregarding the factual global analysis of an agency like MOODY’S. It’s their paper and they have the right to do with it what they wish. It is however my humble opinion that the greatest insult to the pioneers of the fourth estate is this level of partiality, prejudice, and sacrifice of journalistic integrity which one now witnesses almost on a daily basis taking place. That’s fine, but I support what the member for Fox Hill said during his contribution. We are just looking for some semblance of balance. We must be doing something right!!

Mr. Speaker

Truth be told, I did wonder why wasn’t the headline or editorial “PLP Budget hits the right notes” or “Thank You Perry Christie”. Unfortunately I do not think you will ever find any of these 2 dailies saying thank you to Perry Christie. They will never say it even though this Christie Budget was crafted less than one year after the former FNM; Hubert Ingraham-led Administration brought the economy to its knees in just 5 years! Yet there’s no denying it: The PLP budget hits all the right notes; The PLP budget hits all the right notes; The PLP budget hits all the right notes; The PLP budget hits all the right notes; The PLP budget hits all the right notes.

Mr. Speaker

I am told that you have to repeat something 10 times for people to actually remember it. So during this presentation I intend to repeat 10 times that this “PLP budget hits all the right notes”. I have now said it 5 times, and I have 5 more times to go.

Mr. Speaker

Some have questioned our Budget and our projections for future budgets. Our confidence is not based on dreams, although we do dream and dream big. The world was built by dreamers and those who dared to dream big, but in this case our budget and projections are supported by past experience facts and reality.

Mr. Speaker

Let us not forget that when Perry Christie was Prime Minister and Minister of Finance from 2002 – 2007, he created over 22,000 jobs and unemployment in The Bahamas was the second lowest in the region. It was almost at an irreducible level. Under Perry Christie’s leadership, government revenue increased by almost 60% – that’s an increase of over 400M in 5 years. Nothing close to that has ever happened. Just so you can appreciate the significance, from 2007-2012 under the FNM and the disastrous leadership of Hubert Ingraham as Minister of Finance government revenue actually fell. It was less in 2012 than it was in 2007. Five years and not one dollar increase. That’s what’s eating them, they still can’t figure out how we did. Despite the fact that the numbers don’t lie they still can’t be lieve it. Now we project that over the next 5 years we will grow revenue by over 400 again. The side opposite says no. Their financial experts say no. We say we did it before and with the help of Almighty God we will do it again.

Mr. Speaker

Facts are truly stubborn things. During the period 2002-2007, under the leadership of the Rt. Honourable Perry Gladstone Christie The Bahamas had record tourist arrivals. The PLP led Government built over 1400 homes – almost more than double what was built during the previous 10 years under the FNM. There was record foreign direct investment. The profits of BTC tripled. Electricity for the first time in our history was reduced. The Bridge Authority moved from losing over 500k to making over a million dollars. The College of The Bahamas accounts were audited for the first time in 5 years, and COB was prepared for University status. More classrooms were added to the public school system than in the previous 10 years. That was over 5 years ago. Fast-forward to today and the reality is that we are in the process of doubling our investment in education and training. We are well on our way to the creation of The University of The Bahamas, with a Bahamian as President. This “PLP budget hits all the right notes”. That’s 6.

Mr. Speaker

We on this side are not perfect, in fact far from it. But one thing that cannot be denied is that when you look at our past experience and the reality of the present situation we are doing a far better job than the other side did or could have ever dreamt of.

Mr. Speaker

The Member for Fox Hill in his contribution stated that what he found interesting about the editorial thanking Hubert Ingraham – among other things, was he thought it curious that the editor could thank a man who said her bosses were “too damn greedy”. But you know what I found interesting about the editorial. Here was a man who was Minister of Finance for 15 of the past 20 years and they could not find one positive thing to say about his performance as Minister of Finance. Not one, Nothing, Nada, Zilch. Not a word!

Mr. Speaker

There is good reason why they said nothing about his performance as Minister of Finance, because the record is clear, when you examine the last 5 years in particular, there isn’t anything good to say. In fact Mr. Speaker the record reflects that the Rt. Honourable Hubert Ingraham is the worst Minister of Finance this country has ever seen. Everyone has their opinion, but for me I like my opinion to have at its foundation facts. Truth be told, the facts show that between the years of 2007-2012 his performance as Minister of Finance was the worst in the Caribbean and Central America.

Mr. Speaker

I am still searching for what type of mind would want to thank a man who:

1. Was identified by the head of the Contractors Association in August 2007 as taking the economy from boom to bust in 90 days;

2. A man who put the entire economy on hold with his stop, review and cancel policy;

3. A man who refused to meet with investors for almost 6 months after coming to office;

4. A man who instituted the largest across the board tax increase in the history of our country on the backs of struggling Bahamians;

5. A man who commenced the largest public sector infrastructure works, awarded it to a foreigner, mismanaged it and almost doubled the price; AND in the process caused the closure of hundreds of businesses, put thousands on the unemployment line, forced home foreclosures and children having to return home from College;

6. A man who did not create one single new job in 5 years in fact unemployment doubled and 29,000 joined the unemployment line under his rein;

7. A man who exhausted all of our short term borrowing, increased our overdraft by 100M and left us with 100M in unpaid bills;

8. A man who attracted not one new investment in 5 years;

9. A man who made interest on debt the largest expenditure line item in the budget.

10. A man who presided over 3 consecutive years of negative growth or literally no growth, distinguishing the Bahamas from all other countries in this region.

11. A man who destroyed Saunders Beach. (In-fact they tell me every morning the tractors and dump trucks are at Saunders Beach trying to put back what the former administration destroyed).

Mr. Speaker

The celebration of a man who failed at so much in five years can only mean one thing, AND the Bahamian people figured it out on May 7th, 2012. I join the Member for Fox Hill and the majority of Bahamians and say good riddance and pray that this type of egotistical, arrogant and narcissistic individual never again in our history occupy the office of Prime Minister.

Mr. Speaker

I want to leave you with this final point on the matter and it really is in the form of a question. When did you ever hear Mr. Ingraham in his 15 years as Prime Minister articulate a vision for this country or explain one big idea he had? Just one?

Mr. Speaker

So on the day after the best budget to be presented in the last 4 years was laid in this place, a budget that hit all the right notes…that’s 7, all this particular editor could find to say was Thank You Hubert Ingraham. I say it is a clear indication of the depths to which journalism in certain corners of this country has sunk.

Mr. Speaker

I hear those on the other side saying that we have borrowed over one billion in one year, but you know they have no shame. They know that 300M of the 400M we spent last year on capital works was committed by them and 100M of what we will spend in this budget was also committed by them. They know we had to pay down 100M on the 200M overdraft they left to bring it within our overdraft limit and they know they left us 100M in bills which we knew nothing about prior to coming to office. That’s 600M they left us to borrow in one year. 600M.

Mr. Speaker

The Bahamian people deserve more credit than what those opposite are giving. They know the financial mess the FNM left us to deal with. I’ll explain it this way in simple terms. Imagine a relative dies and leaves a mountain of debt and unpaid bills behind. Although they are dead and gone the family is left to pay the bills to settle the estate. Most times the debt and bills are unknown to the family until the passing of the family member. So it was with the FNM, although they had slipped away in what we expect will be their eternal resting place in opposition, their debt, bills and commitments remained as a constant reminder of their poor budgeting, record deficits and mismanagement of the public purse. As I said…they have no shame!!

Mr. Speaker

The Rt. Honourable Prime Minister describes this Budget as a pivotal budget in the history of our small nation and one that secures the future for all Bahamians. It is a Budget that returns us to prudent fiscal stewardship and a balanced approach to managing our economy.

Mr. Speaker

This approach to managing the public finances is critical at this point in our history. Minister Halkitis puts it best when he stated during his contribution that:

“When we came to office last year, we inherited an unsustainable fiscal situation, in fact a debt tornado that was increasingly spiraling out of control and ravaging an ever greater proportion of our revenue base merely to pay interest on the debt and cover required principal repayments.”

Mr. Speaker

I have stated in this place before that when we came to office we invited the Ministry of Finance to Cabinet for a briefing on the state of the public purse and a review of the Budget prepared by the side opposite, which we were to table in 2 weeks. We were shocked, I guess horrified would be a better word when we found out that this was the first time in 5 years that senior finance officials had been to Cabinet.

Mr. Speaker

You see those former Ministers over there; they had no input whatsoever in their own budget. None. They saw it when the rest of us saw it. One man, the self described “one man band” who didn’t need a deputy decided who got and who didn’t. They had no input whatsoever. So when I hear them over there complaining I have to laugh to myself because for 5 years they were clueless when it came to the budget. They sat around the table year after year watching the deficits increase year after year and said nothing. They watched as revenue underperformed and expenditure exceeded budgets and they said nothing. Now they have found their voice…what a difference a year makes!!

Mr. Speaker

Their budget deficit was off the last couple of years by couple hundred million dollars. Not one or two, ten or twenty but couple hundred. And they doubting us? In this short year we cut budgeted expenditure by 162 million. Not one or two, or ten or twenty, but 162 million. Relative to our GDP the deficit will be 6.1% as compared to the 6.5% that was originally projected.

Mr. Speaker

This is why MOODY’s had the confidence to say this PLP Budget hits all the right notes…That’s 8.

Mr. Speaker

We have been here before, and we have steered the SS Bahamas away from snares and rocky shoals to calm and tranquil seas. This is déjà vu, the mismanagement we found in 2002 all over again, only this time it’s on steroids or maybe “on fire” is a more apt description.

Mr. Speaker

This Budget has received overwhelming support because it sets out not only a programme to contain and reverse the growth of government debt – thereby putting the country on a more secure and sustainable financial footing; but also unveils creative strategies to grow the economy through attracting FDI, incentivizing local economic activity, expanding the opportunities for education and training, and reaffirming our commitment to law and order, as well as preserve our ability to provide relief and assistance to those in need.

Mr. Speaker,

I will address the specifics of the budget allocation more specifically during the head to head. I do want to congratulate the Minister of State for Finance and his team at the Ministry of Finance for their approach to the preparation of this budget. Minister’s and their teams met with Finance and reviewed line for line areas where there could be savings and areas which were identified as priorities to execute the governments agenda were given appropriate funding. This is a paradigm shift and Minister’s are now fully involved in the budget process and have taken full responsibility for the management of their allocation during this year.

Mr. Speaker,

I would only say at this point that the budget allocation for education should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind about this government’s commitment to education and training. In real terms our recurrent expenditure has increased and there has been an almost 50% increase in our capital budget. That’s substantial!!

EDUCATION

Mr. Speaker

Education cannot and will not be business as usual. The government has committed to double the nation’s investment in education over a five-year period! We are well on our way and we have gotten off to an excellent start. When I presented the update for the first one hundred (100) days and in the mid-year budget, I outlined nine (9) priorities of focus to be addressed in our investment in education and training. I also stated that 7 of these 9 areas of priority had little or no investment by the previous administration and although it was mathematically impossible to double zero this government was making the investment none the less.

Mr. Speaker

The Charter for Governance commits the government over the ensuing 5 years to double its investment, not the Budget, in education and training.

Mr. Speaker

I am pleased to prioritize our investment in education and training.

1. Hiring new teachers who will have access to the best training and best practices.

2. The creation of twenty first century schools through major upgrades to ensure our students have access to the best technology.

3. The expansion and improvement of preschool education.

4. The expansion and improvement of special needs education, which will include early detection and improved assistance.

5. The Creation of Career Path Academies, which will facilitate the expansion of technical and vocational training and the creation of new apprenticeship opportunities.

6. Improved and expanded after school programs.

7. A new high school equivalency diploma, which will also set the basis for, a GED program to assist Bahamians who were unable to graduate from high school.

8. The expansion of BTVI to accommodate the training and retraining of Bahamians so that they can have access to the best instruction while improving their skills and staying competitive.

9. The College of the Bahamas will become the University of The Bahamas.

Mr. Speaker,

I continue to state these priorities every time I speak about education in this place and outside because I hear persons in here and outside continue to pretend like they are not clear on what the government meant when it said it would double its investment in education and training. I have even heard some talk show host and their callers’ say that my Ministry has not outlined our priorities for education. I wonder sometimes whether they are listening. So I will continue to repeat this and hope that those who have ears will hear and those who have eyes will see.

Mr. Speaker

I can say without fear of contradiction that the

previous administration failed to invest or

did not increase its investment in any areas that I

have outlined. This – as I stated during the Budget

Debate last year and the mid year budget this year,

presented me and the government with a

mathematical quandary. How do you double Zero?

How do you double zero and get a positive number?

Mr. Speaker

The point I am making is that based on our priorities

for education and compared with the previous

administration’s lack of investment in the areas we

have prioritized – based on this criteria, we will

double the nation’s investment in education and

training many times over during this 5 year term.

Mr. Speaker,

Education is an investment in our children’s future wellbeing and in the strength of our national economy. The improved quality of education in The Bahamas will be vital for ensuring that our students are prepared for the 21st century.

Mr. Speaker

My Ministry is focused on supporting children who have too often missed educational opportunities for various reasons. Hence, we have embarked on a course to reorganize the Ministry to ensure that reforms are put in place to deliver the support what every child needs to succeed. We have put more emphasis and focus on those that continue to fall through the cracks. That is the 50% that either don’t graduate from public schools or leave school with only an attendance certificate.

Mr. Speaker,

The truth is our educational system is producing some of the best and brightest children anywhere in the world. For our small population we have produced 3 Rhodes Scholars and our students continue to perform extremely well at some of the top universities and institutions around the world. We have a Bahamian working at NASA in the USA who is now reaching back and providing opportunities for Bahamians to study and intern at NASA. We have signed a collaborative Agreement with them, which will expose a dozen or so students to research and technology at NASA.

Mr. Speaker

Our challenge as a country is not the lack of high achievers. We have our share of those. Our challenge are the low performers and we have far too many. My Ministry must therefore make our education system and curriculum more relevant and enhance and improve our intervention strategies. I firmly believe if we get back to basics and ensure that our kids can read write and do basic math before they leave grade 9 the national grade point average will take care of itself.

Mr. Speaker,

Our overriding goal however, must be to ensure that when kids leave school they are functionally literate, numerate, possess respect for themselves and others, an appreciation of their history which bolsters their self worth and identity, and that they are able to easily matriculate to higher learning or the work force and positively contribute to our national development. Then and only then will be we able to say with confidence that we have a relevant and successful educational system.

Mr. Speaker

We have a long way to go. The good news though is that we have identified the challenges, we are aligning our educational structure to address the challenges and we have established a bi-partisan education and political committee to agree to a shared vision for education 2030. This will crystallize our vision for education and ensure our educational system is relevant for 21st century learning and beyond. At the same time it will ensure that the least amongst are not forgotten or disadvantaged by their physical, mental or socio economic conditions.

Mr. Speaker

In a nutshell we have a PLAN!! We have a Vision for Education!! Our goal now is to ensure we have a Shared Vision for education.

Mr. Speaker,

Being cognizant of the fact that improving the quality of Bahamian schooling is important to our country’s future prosperity, productivity and security, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology presents as its mandates the following:

Expansion and improvement to pre-school education;

Early detection of special needs and early intervention for students with such needs;

Full literacy and numeracy of students when they leave primary school;

High school students are able to transition effectively from school into higher education, the labour market and society;

Provision of access to best training and practices for teachers;

Mr. Speaker,

With these guideposts established, I advance in my communication to address developments and plans for education initiatives concerning:

1. Schools;

2. Scholarships;

3. Training & Professional Development;

4. Staffing and

5. School Properties.

Mr. Speaker

I have often quoted the Prime Minister who stated that:

“EDUCATION NOT MONEY IS THE CURE TO POVERTY, AND EDUCATION NOT JAILS IS THE SOLUTION TO CRIME”

SCHOOLS

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Mr. Speaker,

Research conducted on early childhood education supports the view that the first few years of school are critical to every child’s long-term learning outcomes. Research findings, which were documented in a booklet produced by the Inter-American Development Bank, entitled, “Breaking the Poverty Cycle: Investing in Early Childhood” indicated “ECCD (Early Childhood Care and Development) fosters a lifetime of improved health and mental and physical performance, resulting in higher productivity and income for the individual. The benefits of ECCD, however, go well beyond the child to include benefits to other members of the household, especially mothers and older siblings with child care responsibilities”.

Mr. Speaker,

Investing in early childhood education can have enormous pay offs for society. Returns as high as $7 for each dollar spent on early intervention programs have been documented. These returns come in the form of cost savings associated with less need for remedial education and other social programs, less violence and crime, and greater economic productivity.

Mr. Speaker,

The Perry Preschool Study 2001 (not the Perry Christie) but the High Scope Education Research Foundation Perry Preschool Study (2000) indicated that adults at age 40 who had gone through the preschool programme had higher earnings, were more likely to hold a job, had committed fewer crimes, and were more likely to have graduated from high school than adults who did not attend preschool.

Mr. Speaker,

I have presented information based on research to illustrate the impact early childhood education has on the society and indeed the world. No doubt, you are aware, that the Progressive Liberal Party government, in its pursuit of excellence in education, made the first attempt to include preschool education in the public school system. This occurred in 1989 when the first government preschool was established in Coconut Grove. It still exists in that community today. Having established the Coconut Grove Preschool, the Progressive Liberal Party government then incorporated the Delaporte Preschool. Therefore, you see, Mr. Speaker, the vision for public school early childhood education was born in the Progressive Liberal Party government. Hence, there are now fifty-nine (59) preschools to date in New Providence and the Family Islands.

Mr. Speaker,

This legacy of early childhood education established by the Progressive Liberal Party in 1989 will continue with this Progressive Liberal Party government. As stated in the Charter of Governance, we will focus on two mandates:

(i) to expand and make public preschool education more available throughout the Commonwealth and

(ii) to encourage a minimum standard of qualification and training for professionals who provide preschool education in the private sector and implement training programmes to assist in the meeting of this standard where necessary.

Mr. Speaker,

The preschool division in the Department of Education has feverishly begun to implement these mandates as the following initiatives are well on the way in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands:

(i) The Cleveland Eneas Preschool, due to the overflow of population, In March was relocated off Buttonwood Avenue in Pinewood Gardens and its capacity increased to accommodate 80 students and will be expanded this summer to accommodate an additional 60 students for the upcoming academic year.

(ii) Free Town Primary was established as a stand-alone preschool on September 24th, 2012. The facility has been refurbished and the environment made conducive for 20 preschool students.

(iii) The Lewis Yard Preschool facility was relocated to the Saint Vincent De Paul’s Catholic School grounds and was remodeled in its entirety to meet the standards of a preschool facility.

(iv) The Moore’s Island All Age School now enjoys a preschool unit. For the first time in history the doors of the preschool were opened on March 18th, 2013. It presently accommodates 10 students

Mr. Speaker,

In September of this year my ministry will open a high quality redesigned facility at the St. Bede’s Catholic School grounds, Sutton Street off Kemp Road. The facility will initially accommodate eighty (80) students with a full complement of teachers and ancillary staff. In addition, an early childhood desk will be established where the officers responsible for the supervision and monitoring of all daycare and preschool centers will be housed. This will be a first-class early childhood care education and research and training centre.

Mr. Speaker,

We will begin the expansion of two additional preschool units at Claridge Primary School to be completed during the October midterm of this year. The occupancy for this site will be forty (40) students.

In the Family Island community of Fox Town, Abaco a preschool facility that will be able to accommodate twenty-five (25) students will open in September.

At James A. Pinder primary in Sandy Point Abaco we will open our first preschool in September to accommodate 20 students.

At Abaco Central Primary we will increase our capacity from 20 to 40 preschoolers.

Mr. Speaker,

In one year we have added capacity for some 300 preschool students who previously did not have access to this vital educational experience. The dividends will be huge!! We intend to continue with our aggressive expansion in the area of preschool education over the next 4 years.

Mr. Speaker,

Our Preschool Officers must be commended for their dedication and service beyond the call of duty. The Standards and Regulations for the 2004 Daycare and Preschools’ Act are being prepared for presentation as I speak. Following the approval of these Standards, I shall seek to establish a Regulatory Body for the oversight of Early Childhood Care and Education in the private sector.

Mr. Speaker,

The advancement of early childhood care and education is a mammoth task and in my short tenure, this section has experienced exponential growth and development. My Ministry embraces the ongoing challenge of improving early childhood care and education in The Bahamas.

Primary School

Mr. Speaker,

Progressive educators and parents agree that much emphasis must be placed on the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes imparted to children during their early years of schooling. I believe that it is the Government’s responsibility to assist all children to achieve their full potential.

Mr. Speaker,

Officers in the Primary Curriculum Section ought to be congratulated and rewarded for the important work that they do year after year.

Mr. Speaker

I am pleased to report that several adjustments have been made in a move to strengthen literacy and numeracy levels of primary school students. The number of subjects in the lower primary curriculum has been reduced. The contact periods for Reading and Grammar have doubled and those for Math have been increased by 50%. Interdisciplinary Unit Teaching was introduced which is the integration of the concepts, skills and knowledge of Social Studies, Science, Family Life and Health and Religious Studies in a single thematic approach. This decision was made in July 2012 and implementation began in September 2012.

Mr. Speaker

This change occurred in two months after I took office and I am advised that this change has been debated in the Ministry for the past 15 years.

Over the next few years, it will be important to place greater focus on the development of literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, communication, discipline and social skills along with the development of a positive sense of self, our country’s history and national identity.

Mr. Speaker,

During 2013-2014 period of the budget, increased funding will be provided for ongoing in-service training for lower primary teachers in New Providence and the Family Islands. Greater focus will be placed on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of novice teachers in all primary schools and implementing the necessary intervention strategies. Highly skilled technical officers will produce interdisciplinary teaching units for teachers assigned to lower primary grades. Moreover, there will be at every primary school, an increased level of supervision and monitoring to ensure the needs of students in lower and upper primary grades are being met.

Mr. Speaker,

I wish to stress that low performing teachers, when identified, will be encouraged to attend mandatory grade level or subject specific workshops. The Department of Education, supported by The Bahamas Union of Teachers, will assist all teachers who require improving and/or updating their teaching skills.

Mr. Speaker,

The 2013-2014 education budget reflects much needed funding for curriculum-based, interdisciplinary units, indigenous learning materials, teacher training and teacher supervision – all designed to produce 21st century students who are more than ready to succeed.

SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION

Mr. Speaker,

When I presented the Mid Year Budget, I mentioned that the Career Path Academy would offer possible interventions to numerous socio-economic challenges facing the economy. It is the intention of the Government to have these Academies in all senior high schools throughout The Bahamas. My Ministry has therefore laid out a plan for the orderly implementation of Career Path Academies.

Mr. Speaker,

The programme, which is well underway at the C.C. Sweeting Senior High School, is designed to allow students entry into career choices after they would have completed the Differentiated Aptitude Test (DAT) at the eighth and ninth grade levels. Programmes include Business Studies, Academic Arts, Auto Mechanics, Technical Studies, Hospitality and tourism Studies, Family and Consumer Services and Cosmetology.

Mr. Speaker,

My Ministry realizes the importance of science and technology education to the development of our country. In an effort to give focus to this important discipline in secondary education, we have refurbished the science labs at the C.C. Sweeting Senior High School. Our goal over the next three years is to complete this process in all of our secondary schools in the country.

Mr. Speaker,

Food security continues to be a major concern for us in The Bahamas. I am pleased to inform members of this Chamber of the exposure to and accomplishments in Agricultural Science:

South Andros High School has established a functional mini hydroponic unit to produce romaine lettuce for sale. The school also has a poultry unit and is expected to produce eggs and chicken for sale in the next school year.

Through collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the North Andros High School and the Sheraton Hotel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding where the school supplies the hotel with select vegetables during the peak of the vegetable season.

The Agricultural Science programme has received funding from the Food and Agriculture Organization Telefood Project Fund for the upgrade/refurbishment of animal husbandry units at H.O. Nash Junior High School, South Andros High School and L.N. Coakley High School.

Horticulture Certification of ten (10) Agricultural Science teachers by Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association via The Bahamas Landscape Association will take place in this upcoming year.

Continued development of Agri-Tourism initiatives and professional development for teachers in conjunction with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Cooperation (BAIC) and the Department of Agriculture will also occur.

Mr. Speaker,

I turn my attention to the Examination and Assessment Division of the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology. I am sure that you are all patently aware of the critical role which this area of my ministry plays in ensuring that all national examinations, and more importantly, the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations maintains international currency and assesses and provides certification for high school graduates in areas of study that will enhance our national development.

Mr. Speaker,

While we in the Ministry are not satisfied with the overall performance of our students on standardized national examinations, I wish to report that statistics reveal continued incremental improvements in students’ performance on the Grade Level Assessment Tests (GLAT), Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) examinations and the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) Examinations. Statistics for the 2012 BJC examinations reveal that there was improvement in seven of the ten subjects tested.

Of the twenty-seven BGCSE subjects tested, improved performance was noted in nineteen of them.

Mr. Speaker,

On 19th January this year, I was privileged to participate in the Annual BJC/BGCSE Awards Ceremony. I was extremely delighted to witness the large number of students from across our archipelago receiving recognition for their outstanding performance in the 2012 BJC and BGCSE examinations. It was indeed gratifying to share in the ceremony, which also celebrated the twentieth sitting of the BGCSE examinations. I wish to commend the corporate partners who have willingly over the years assisted with the sponsorship of the ceremony.

Mr. Speaker,

I wish to applaud the efforts of the dedicated staff of the Examination and Assessment Division for recognizing the stellar academic accomplishments of our students, and for naming two of the highest BGCSE awards in honour of two outstanding Bahamians. The first female Director of Education and former BGCSE Coordinator, Ms. Marjorie Davis and the first Assistant Director of Education with responsibility for the Division and retired Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Carol Hanna have made outstanding contributions to the field of education. The awards are the ‘Marjorie Davis Award for Academic Excellence,’ which was presented to the Government School Student with the overall best BGCSE results and the ‘Carol Hanna Award for Academic Excellence’ which was presented to the Independent School Student with the overall best BGCSE results. The 2012 recipients were Marlen Lopez of the C.R. Walker High School, Shannon Butler of Queen’s College and Matthew Grammatico of Forest Heights Academy in Abaco.

Mr. Speaker,

Hospitality and Tourism is one of the major industries in The Bahamas. During the 2013 – 2014 fiscal period, the Examination and Assessment Division will commence preparation of a BGCSE examination syllabus to compliment the revised Hospitality and Tourism Studies curriculum, which is currently being piloted in several of our senior high schools. The new BGCSE examination will host its first students in 2016. It is expected that the proposed BGCSE Hospitality and Tourism Studies examination will assist in heightening respect for careers in the sector and bring credibility to the subject.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Mr. Speaker

The Government of The Bahamas, and more directly, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, recognizes the need for heightened attention to those students with special needs.

My Ministry will rent and renovate Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School to accommodate some 100 special needs children. The Special Education facility will be a centre to offer early diagnosis and intervention strategies for students with mild to moderate challenges. Training for pre-service and in-service teachers, parents and others in the community will also be available. In essence it will be a research and training facility and we expect this facility to be the envy of the region.

Mr. Speaker,

Further my Ministry seeks to support persons with special needs beyond the normal school age. When they are no longer able to attend schools like Anatol Rodgers High School or the new Special needs school at Our Lady’s, a safe, productive, learning environment must be available to them. The Prime Minister during his budget address announced plans to begin construction, in New Providence, of a new educational and multipurpose facility that will provide daytime occupational therapy and instruction for persons with special needs. 1 million dollars was allocated to begin the construction. This will allow the attendees to continue their development and maximize their potential and continue to contribute to society.

TERTIARY EDUCATION

Mr. Speaker,

Our Government’s investment in skills and research in education is directed at targeting skills shortage in priority sectors and areas of critical national importance. One such area is that of Agriculture and Marine Sciences. I am very pleased to note that over $4 million will be invested to establish the new School of Agriculture and Marine Sciences in North Andros. It will be built on the site of the old agricultural research facility and will include a tutorial commercial farm.

Mr. Speaker,

It is expected to be fully self-sustaining within five years. Also of significance is that as an adjunct of The College of The Bahamas, the School will offer diploma and certification programmes as well as skills training. It is estimated that initiatives sparked by the school could potentially place a 15% dent in our country’s total food imports.

Mr. Speaker,

Higher levels of vocational education and training qualifications and workforce development are strongly linked to increased workforce participation and productivity.

Mr. Speaker,

BTVI continues to make great strides. With enrolment up almost 25% and the addition of new courses it is meeting its mandate. Recently the new board was appointed in accordance with the Act. I am proud to announce that Mr. Abraham Butler, former general manger of Water and Sewerage Corp. will be the first official Chairman of BTVI. This will give BTVI more autonomy and allow it to be more nimble and respond to the changing demands of the workplace. It is expected this year that we will commence construction on a new 10 block classroom unit at the BTVI campus at a cost of around 1.5 million. Presently lack of space is hindering the expansion of offerings and limiting enrolment.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Mr. Speaker,

As the 2012/2013 Budget comes to an end it is worthy to note that during the year the government has awarded over 11 million dollars in scholarship grants and over 1800 students have benefitted. This was an increase of 25% in scholarship grants over 2011/20l2. More than 3 million dollars went to The College of The Bahamas and more than 750 students benefitted. Another 1 million went in the form of financial aid and we reimbursed COB another million dollars in financial aid which was outstanding from our predecessors. In fact we supported COB with 2 million in financial aid this year. This level of commitment to tertiary education has not been made by any government since the introduction of COB in 1973.

Mr. Speaker,

In this 2013/2014 budget the government has increased scholarships for tertiary education by 1 million dollars. Not only are these actions of a caring government, but one in spirit and action that has demonstrated a commitment and focus on education as a priority. “This PLP “budget hits all the right notes” …that’s 9.

Mr. Speaker,

The Scholarship & Educational Loan Division (SELD) has been doing all that it is able to sensitize Family Island students about the opportunities available to persons interested in pursuing higher education. We travel to the islands, we engage in career’s fairs, we provide information to our guidance counselors, and we meet with teachers and parents. However, more must be done to increase the number of Family Island students that are participating in these scholarship programmes and I have given the Division the mandate to take initiatives to increase the number of scholarship recipients from the Family Islands.

Mr. Speaker,

We intend to do a lot more than we were able to do in 2012/2013. I have instructed the National Scholarship Committee to ensure that the selection process continues to be fair and relevant to the needs of our country and our people.

This year, we will focus on providing scholarships to those who truly deserve assistance. Support will be given taking into account financial need, academic accomplishments, and focusing on areas that we desperately need for the continued development of our labour force and the economic expansion that we are forecasting.

We will be focusing on areas such as culinary/hospitality studies, hotel and tourism management, urban development, special education, audiology and speech pathology, the social sciences, conservation management, maritime studies, technical studies, engineering, mathematic and science education, cultural studies, and the technical areas such as radiology, medical lab technology, auto and aviation mechanics, welding, plumbing, electrical technology, the arts and the like.

Mr. Speaker,

We will be transforming the Scholarship & Educational Loan Division into a state of the art, technology driven, customer driven, agency of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. We intend to institute on-line application processing, and develop a system whereby we are able to track our scholarship recipients after they have completed their studies. We intend also this year to begin bonding all students who receive government funding which will ensure that if there are needs in the public sector where their education and training can be used; they will be required to work in the public sector for a pre determined period of time.

Mr. Speaker,

The Scholarship Division will become a resource centre where students and adults interested in college can come and get assistance in planning for college. They will get help in selecting institutions that can provide their educational needs, assistance in completing and compiling all the information required for the application process and assistance in getting funding from institutions.

Mr. Speaker

This Resource Centre will develop a college search programme to determine which colleges will provide money for deserving students in sports, the arts, music, sciences, and other areas.

Mr. Speaker

The future looks bright for our young people particularly those pursuing the higher education objectives of this government. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology will continue to provide scholarship funding and seek funding opportunities and partnerships with the private sector, foreign governments and other colleges and Universities wherever they are in the world. We must ensure that everyone in this wonderful place we call The Bahamas, has an opportunity to either acquire a tertiary education, or to acquire a skill that will enable them to accomplish their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations. We have completed our interview process and expect to appoint the selected person to oversee this transformation of the scholarship division shortly.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Speaker,

One element that is necessary for our education system to be effective is that of the engagement of quality teachers. When we have attracted the brightest and the best to join the profession of teaching, we must commit to equipping them with the skills and training they need to excel. After that is done, then we must give experienced teachers high quality professional development to maintain and enhance their skills. The same is necessary for other education sector employees.

Mr. Speaker,

In order to expedite this mandate, my Ministry will open the doors of the In House Professional Development Institute on the site of the Mabel Walker Primary School. The Institute is intended to:

Increase effectiveness and efficiency within the Ministry;

Create in The Bahamas a cadre of education workers who are better prepared with the requisite skills to lead and to serve;

Promote the value of on-going learning and growth for all;

Align policy with practices;

Build leadership and capacity to deliver change at all levels;

Improve the delivery of services to the public, particularly students and

Nurture partnerships in education.

Mr. Speaker,

Over the past year, the Department of Education has completed a number of projects with a view to ensuring that tangible, visible improvements are realized. They are:

The new appointment of one hundred and ninety-three (193) teachers, one hundred and seventy-seven (177) of who were Bahamians inclusive of College of the Bahamas graduates.

The restructuring of the Department of Education via the promotion of three (3) Deputy Directors of Education, and a number of other senior administrative staff of the Department in order to provide managerial oversight and direction to key areas required for its transformation agenda.

Mr. Speaker,

These outcomes are indicative of the fact that the Ministry of Education’s transformation agenda is committed to bringing focus towards strengthening and maximizing the resources needed to effect the changes necessary to our educational system.

We are committed to enhance and improve the capacity of the service delivery for the thousands of teachers, administrative, technical and support staff in our public education system. In this regard, we recognize that significant investments would have to be made in our recruitment exercise in order to ensure that focused attention is placed on the priority areas of the ministry’s mandate.

We are fully aware that the quality of instruction in our schools mirrors the caliber of teachers employed, we intend to increase our complement of teachers this year by one hundred and eighty-one (181) persons at a cost of four million, five hundred ninety-six thousand, three hundred dollars ($4,596,300). This will involve:

The appointment of one hundred and thirty-nine (139) teachers inclusive of ninety-nine (99) College of The Bahamas graduates in varied disciplines;

Seventeen (17) specialist Cuban teachers; and

Twenty-five (25) teachers hired on contract whose appointment will now be regularized.

Mr. Speaker,

We also intend, to the extent possible, to address the staff matters that remain outstanding. These matters include reassessments, confirmations, re-classification of administratively posted teachers and appointments of teachers to the Permanent and Pensionable Establishment, which require funds in the amount of two million, eight hundred ten thousand, and four hundred dollars ($2,810,400). The Funding for this is in the Ministry of Finance budget. “This PLP “budget hits all the right notes” …that’s 10.

SCHOOL PROPERTIES

Mr. Speaker,

The final area to be addressed in this budget contribution is school properties. The mission of the physical plant section of my Ministry is “to create for the children of The Bahamas a safe physical environment conducive to learning by providing quality construction and maintenance of the physical infrastructure of our schools”.

Mr. Speaker,

Last year we spent 5.6 million dollars on school repairs and painting. Our physical plant received the much needed care and attention it deserves. There were structural, electrical and plumbing concerns which were left outstanding for years. This year we have budgeted to spend just over 4 million dollars.

Mr. Speaker,

I am delighted to report that the scope of works for the 2013 summer repairs have been completed by the Ministry of Works. The contractors have been selected and notified this week. The Ministry of Finance has sent the funds to mobilize the contractors and they are expected to begin works immediately when school closes this week.

Mr. Speaker,

I want to reiterate that National Insurance payments, funding for promotions and reassessments, rents on buildings other than schools have been removed from my budget and placed in Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Labour and National Insurance which has responsibility for the public service.

Mr. Speaker,

Before I close I want to pay tribute to the hard working cadre of Administrators, Teachers and Support Staff, who daily strive to improve standards in education, despite the challenges.

Mr. Speaker

I want also to encourage the diligent students who continue to strive for excellence to remember that rewards come to those who persevere. I want to lend my support to the hard working parents, who through their encouragement ignite the genius in each generation. I believe that the spirit of excellence and cooperation will pervade all of our plans for education and that we will reap good results for our efforts.

Mr. Speaker,

I close again with a quote from the Rt. Honourable Prime Minister Perry Christie given at the press conference in early December 2012 relative to the INSPIRE ICT subcomponent of the IDB loan where in our first year in office we have invested over 4 million dollars on technology and computer labs in our public schools.

“My government has made the largest commitment to education in the past 20 years. Bahamians will be able to see it, touch it and feel it. My government is serious about education and we are striving to instill education not only as a priority but as a VALUE!!”

Mr. Speaker,

I conclude where I start and for the final time, this PLP “budget hits all the right notes” and Education is headed in the right direction.

Thank You.

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