Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide all persons in The Bahamas an opportunity to receive an education that will equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills, beliefs and attitudes required for work and  life in a democratic society, guided by christian values.

VISION STATEMENT

To ensure that all persons in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually in order to function responsibly and productively in an increasingly dynamic, technological and complex society.

Constitutional Appointments

Under Articles 73 and 77 of the Constitution of The Bahamas, the Honourable Carl W Bethel, M.P., the elected Member of Parliament for the Sea Breeze Constituency, was appointed Minister of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture on Monday 7th May, 2007 by The Governor General acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister. He was charged with responsibility for the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture. Under the same articles, the Honourable Byron S. Woodside, M.P., the elected Member of Parliament for the Pinewood Constituency, was appointed Minister of State for Youth & Sports; and the Honourable Charles Maynard, M.P., the elected Member of Parliament for the Golden Isles Constituency, was appointed Minister of State for Culture. Article 88 of the Constitution gives the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Elma Garraway, a Public Officer, supervision of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture.

STATUTORY COUNCILS, BOARDS & COMMITTEES

In 1996, the Education Act provided for the establishment of School Boards. They are responsible for the general administration of schools and for relations between the Minister, the School Board and the Principal as set forth in Part II of the First Schedule of the Education Act. The National Advisory Council on Education was established for the purpose of making available to the Minister advice on educational matters from the general public and from educational bodies and institutions outside the statutory educational system. The National Advisory Council consists of eleven members appointed by the Minister. The Education Committee was established under the Education Guarantee Fund Act 2001 to provide for the guarantee by the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas of Education Loans by Financial Institutions. The functions of the Committee are to act in accordance with the Education Policy to advise the Minister on guarantee loans; issue, modify and revoke guaranteed loans; formulate and implement standards; and regulate, allocate and manage the use of resources available for Higher Ed. education. The Council of the College of The Bahamas was established in 1974 by an Act of Parliament. The Council acts like a Board of Directors, directing the policy of the college. It comprises a Chairman and nine members appointed by the Minister of Education. The Chairman advises and reports to the Minister of Education. The Apprenticeship Board, a Statutory Board, is governed by the provisions of the Apprenticeship Act of 1967 and consists of a Chairman, and seven members appointed by the Minister of Education.

Advisory Council on Public Records

Operates under the Act of Parliament of 1974 which established the Department of Archives. The Chief Justice is the legal Head of the Archives. The Chairman is Mrs. Elaine Toote, Director of Archives.

National Advisory Council for Education

• Chairman/President of the College of The Bahamas & Representative from:
• The Bahamas Union of Teachers
• The Association of Independent Schools
• The Primary Principals Association
• The Secondary Principals Association
• The Bahamas Child Care & Pre School Association
• The Association of Higher Ed. Institutions in The Bahamas
• National Parent Teacher Federation
• Chamber of Commerce
• National Student Council
• Bahamas Christian Council
• Bahamas National Council for the Disabled