School Board  

School Boards
1 The Role Of School Boards Under The Education Act 1996
1 School Board Chairpersons (New Providence & Grand Bahama)

How Are They Organized And How Are They Helping To Improve The Education System?

 

  Five years ago for the first time in The Bahamas, School Boards were elected following a 1996 amendment to the Education Act that made provision for such Boards. At the time, the schedule allowed for Boards to be elected for only high schools. Since then, the Schedule has been amended so that in New Providence and Grand Bahama both primary and high schools now elect School Boards. These Boards were elected November 18 th, 1999.

The implementation of School Boards is a deliberate part of the Ministry of Education’s process of decentralization or devolution within the public education system of The Bahamas. It is founded on the basic belief that the education of students is improved when local communities (schools, parents and others) are active participants in the delivery of education within that community.

We have been very fortunate over the last five years and greatly encouraged by the work of the several School Boards which have improved their institutions. Of course, the results varied from school to school covered a very wide spectrum. On the whole, however, it is undeniable that the output of administrative and technical officers of the Ministry was enhanced because of the involvement of the high School Boards in New Providence.

You will know that provision for School Boards has been a part of the law of The Bahamas for more than 50 years. However, that part of the law was not implemented until the Education Act amendment of 1996 mentioned earlier.

The implementation of School Boards has released the principal from the mundane maintenance tasks and allows for greater communication on academic administration. In this respect, the functions now devolved to schools include the following:

  1. establishing four school districts in New Providence to complement the long-standing Family Island Districts;
  2. delegating to the District superintendent responsibility for managing his/her District, supported by relevant specialists;
  3. establishing School Boards which are responsible for minor repairs and maintenance of school premises; school furniture and equipment; school books and materials; improvements to school premises; and
  4. facilitating principals to perform their mandate in accordance with their agreed job descriptions and in cooperation with their School Boards.


GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL BOARDS

  1. Be reasonable. Set realistic targets; aim for them; do not be swayed by the uniformed and meddlesome. You cannot do everything and even what you can do may be impossible overnight. Plan carefully and take time to include relevant persons in order to increase the probability of success.
  2. Be business oriented- seek to achieve the greatest output from the resources available to you. Use what you haveto do the best you can, so that should more come it will add to the success you have already achieved.
  3. Be consistent. Demonstrate that your commitment,energy and effective performance can be sustained over time.
  4. Be owners. Do not allow the naysayers to undermine your confidence in your children or your teachers. Deal in facts; and be prepared to defend your children– especially – from the slings and arrows of adults whose ability to distinguish right from wrong is questionable.
  5. Be learners. Knowledge of your school, its staff and its students will, I believe, create in you a deep satisfaction when you have achieved on their behalf. You will experience the joy that comes after frustration experiences are overcome; and you will reflect your school’s attainment during your tenure and forever thereafter.

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