Department of Education

Mr. Lionel K. Sands was appointed Acting Director of Education, in The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture in June 2007. Mr. Sands’ education began at the All-Age School in Green Castle, Eletheura; he later moved to New Providence where he completed high school at the A. F. Adderley High School. In 1971, he entered the Public Service as an Untrained Teacher. Shortly afterwards, he pursued professional studies at the Bahamas Teachers’ College (1972 to 1974) where he was awarded an Endorsed Teacher’s Certificate. He continued his teaching career as a Trained Teacher from 1974 to 1976.

Mr. Sands functioned as a Principal from 1976 to 1994. He has had an illustrious career as a Family Island Principal and Teacher having worked in Eleuthera, Exuma, Andros and Acklins. In New Providence, he served at the C. H. Reeves Junior High School, C.C. Sweeting Senior School and the Simpson Penn/Willie Pratt Centres Co-Educational Centre.

Mr. Sands has received training in Examination Administration from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and management training from the Institute of Professional Managers & Administrators in Britain, The United Kingdom. He has been recognized with other awards from Nova Southern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Prior to being appointed Acting Director of Education, Mr. Sands was Acting Assistant Director of Education at the Testing and Evaluation Section, (now the Examination and Testing Division) in 1997. He was confirmed in this position in 1998 and performed in this capacity until 2007.

Mr. Sands a native a Green Castle, Eleuthera (The Bahamas), is a devoted Christian member of Christ Community Church. He is married to Mrs. Elizabeth Sands and the father of five (5) and several grand children.