NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Phillip Davis said education is not simply about imparting knowledge.
“It is about nurturing potential, igniting curiosity, and building character,” the Prime Minister said at the Ministry of Education and Technical & Vocational Training 'Excellence in Education 2024' Awards Ceremony held at Atlantis Resort on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
He added, “It is about equipping our young people with the tools they need to navigate a world that is rapidly changing, increasingly complex, and full of challenges and opportunities we can scarcely imagine today.”
The Prime Minister also noted that the event celebrates the dedication, resilience, and passion of the nation’s educators, whose work is foundational.
Also attending the awards ceremony were Governor General, Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt and Minister of Education the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin.
The Education Minister explained that the event was a star-studded stellar one to highlight and celebrate the most outstanding educators, administrators, technical officers and guidance counsellors in the nation’s public school system.
“The movers and shakers in our education system – tonight the spotlight is on you.”
Some of the awards given out that night included the Innovation Award, the Resilience Award, the Longest Serving With Excellence Award, the School Spirit Award and the Best Practice Award.
The Education Minister said the pool of nominees for each category has been deep and rich, and the competition, stiff.
“This is demonstrative of the high professional standards and the culture of excellence which exists in this profession in this country.”
She also noted that it is essential that those who hold responsibility in the public education system are raised up to the nation.
“You have been assigned a task and given an undertaking that is at the centre of our national development – a complex multi-faceted vocation that is to shape, mould and prepare the next generation to assume the reins of every particular part of the nation’s reality.
“To ensure that the next generation is adept, agile, grounded -- rational problem solvers – a new people who are innovative, empathetic, skilled, morally courageous, intellectually acute and confident.”
The Minister said, “It is clear that you cannot do this on your own. In pursuit of these high goals, the roles and obligations of parents cannot be overstated.”
She explained that this was clearly evident in a recent University of The Bahamas study commissioned by the Ministry to investigate the factors which influence student outcomes.
“It was found that parents have a critical primary role in this mission of equipping our young people of tomorrow and securing the future of The Bahamas.”
The Minister added that the wider society including corporate Bahamas and policy makers have a part to play as well.
She said the Government continues to recognize the importance of educators. “It is why in the most recent industrial agreement, salaries and benefits were increased for teachers and administrators and technical officers, career paths finalized or revitalized and promotions implemented, most recently including our guidance counsellors.”
The Education Minister said the Ministry will continue to work on creating facilitating environments and professional development opportunities. “It is a work in progress, but I ask you to understand and accept that at the foundation of all that we do, we seek to create a stronger nation to work collaboratively with you with the pure intent and singular motive of advancing the cause of our nation’s children and young people.”
She added, “You have helped to navigate this country [through] one of the most profound challenges in education during the pandemic years and the fallout associated with that. I know that you will continue to give your all so that when all is said and done, The Bahamas will emerge stronger than ever.”
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Phillip Davis, and Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin addressed the audience, and made presentations. Governor General, Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt attended the celebration and also presented to the nation’s educators at the Ministry of Education and Technical & Vocational Training's 'Excellence in Education 2024' Awards Ceremony held at Atlantis Resort on Saturday, February 22, 2025. (BIS Photos/Patrice Johnson)
