Education the Way Forward

Minister Bannister said that education is the most powerful weapon we can use the change the world. He was most encouraged by Rotary Sunrise and its Reading Fair project which touch the lives of so many young people. He supports positive educational initiatives because they go a long way in developing our youth. At this time, many persons are experiencing economic hardship because of the global recession. As a result, many children attend to school without the basic necessities such as books and more importantly a good breakfast thus impeding their ability to learn. The goal of the Ministry of Education is to ensure that every child receives a good education. All stakeholders i.e. parents, community, government and organizations like Rotary must do their part to ensure that this happens. As a community we must be committed to producing individuals who can make a positive contribution to society. The challenge for educating children in the Bahamas is great because the islands of our archipelago are so widespread and resources are limited. Additionally, there is a challenge to find qualified teachers particularly in the areas of math and English. However, the Ministry is committed to doing the best it can under the circumstances. He concluded by saying that the Ministry will be embarking on a number of new initiatives like educational television programs, etc. However, they will be also be focusing on adult literacy which is also a serious issue in our country.