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Administrative, teacher shortage a grave concern for GB schools

January 5, 2021, 5:52 am
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Pictured from left are Director of Education Marcellus Taylor; to Bahamas Education Managerial Union (BEMU) Area Vice President for Grand Bahama Frazette Gibson and Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) Area Vice President for GB Quinton Laroda. (PHOTOS: TFN FILES)


FN Night Editor Barbara Walkin

The lack of a full complement of administrators and teachers at several government-operated schools on the island continues to be a challenge, particularly with the reopening of the institutions– Monday, January 4.

This daily learned that administrators at Jack Hayward Junior High, Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior, Hugh Campbell Primary and Walter Parker Primary, are performing dual roles and are concerned that their employer, the Ministry of Education, "is dragging its proverbial feet in appointing persons to various positions that need to be filled."

The Freeport News reached out to Bahamas Education Managerial Union (BEMU) Area Vice President for Grand Bahama Frazette Gibson, who informed that there are administrative shortages at the schools.

“Currently all schools are not outfitted with administrators, namely Jack Hayward Junior High, Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior, Hugh Campbell Primary, and Walter Parker Primary, in particular. Only have three administrators have been serving for this past school term.

“Presently, vice principals are holding down and managing those schools. It is unfair to them. Persons would have already had interviews since September 14, 2020 (with the Public Service Commission) and I am more baffled than anything else, as to why persons could not have been given their appointment letters to date,” Gibson stated.

She maintained that Nassau held its interviews and prior to school opening (in September 2020), persons received their letters.

“Our present administrators are overworked, but they are doing the best that they can. However, this is unacceptable and inexcusable,” said Gibson.  Read more >>
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Education Press Conference Tackles National Exam Results and the Reopening of Schools

January 5, 2021, 5:57 am
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Bahamas Minister of Education, the Hon. Mr. Jeffery Lloyd.

The Eleutheran

On Monday afternoon, January 4th, 2021, as students across the Bahamas returned to classes to begin the new 2021 Easter school term, the Ministry of Education hosted a press conference, primarily to address questions about the national BGCSE and BJC examination results (National Exam results – 2020), recently released on December 23rd, 2020, as well as other issues relevant to the resumption of school.  Many islands began the new term with face-to-face instruction, however, Eleuthera and others, including New Providence, Exuma and Abaco continued with virtual-only instruction – as mandated by the current emergency orders, and confirmed by a communication released to the public by the Ministry of Education on Thursday, December 31st, 2021.  Read more >>
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Minister Dames Lauds RBPF Efforts During the COVID19 Pandemic

January 5, 2021, 6:03 am
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Nassau, The Bahamas - During his Official Remarks at the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s New Year’s Church Service 2021, on January 3, 2021, Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin H. Dames said that it was important to note that, while devising its strategies for 2020, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) never could have foreshadowed what was to come.

“There were no blueprints or scripts to navigate you through the tumultuous seas of the COVID-19 crisis,” Minister Dames said, during the event held in the Rose Garden, on the grounds of the RBPF Headquarters.   “It was one of those things you would find in the unexpected category.”

“Nevertheless, any successful police organization never loses sight of the fact that policing is a dynamic profession, and any planning must always take into account the unexpected,” he added.  “Your response to the COVID-19 crisis is a testament to the fact that you adjusted quickly and with the support of your sister law enforcement agencies, you devised and executed strategies at the highest level, which led to your success.

“History will record that your actions and unselfishness resulted in many lives being saved, and you continue to do so.”  Read more >>
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D’Aguilar: Atlantis furlough decision was expected

January 5, 2021, 6:14 am
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Minister of Tourism  Dionisio D’Aguilar.

Kyle Walkine
The Nassau Guardian

Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar said the decision by Atlantis, Paradise Island, to place some staff members on furlough amid low occupancy was “expected” as hotels are now in a “tough position”.

He said he expects other hotel properties to follow suit and adjust their headcount, adding, “Everybody I spoke to in the hotel business is going to experience a significant drop-off after yesterday, until about February, March, April where it begins to ramp back up.”

Amid plans to file a trade dispute by the Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union as a result, D’Aguilar said he understands both sides of the argument, but said given the low level of international travel ongoing, one should expect these sort of decisions from hotels.

“There’s obviously a very fine line that everybody’s trying to tread here,” D’Aguilar said.  Read now >>
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Clear Solutions Plus Recognizes Top Employees

January 5, 2021, 6:19 am
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Company Stood Strong during COVID-19 Crisis 

Nassau, Bahamas – Clear Solutions Plus, a proud Bahamian family business with a true spirit of giving, took extraordinary measures in 2020 to ensure that their employees and customers were able to navigate smoothly throughout the COVID-19 crisis. At their annual staff recognition, four people were recognized for their personal growth and their contributions to the company. 

The ‘Employee of the Year’ award went to operations manager, Kirkwood McKenzie whose diligence and attention to each job helped expand Clear Solutions Plus’s client base. McKenzie who hailed from the hotel industry and is like a father figure to the younger team members applies his expertise gained in the hospitality industry and customer relations to strengthen people in and outside of the company.  Read more >>
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Forbes: “More people will die” from COVID variant if public lets guard down

January 5, 2021, 6:25 am
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Royston Jones Jr.
Eyewitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr. Nikkiah Forbes said if a new COVID strain were to impact The Bahamas and people let their guard down, more people will be hospitalized and “more people will die”.

Expressing concerns over the more contagious COVID variant that has spread from the United Kingdom to the United States, Forbes told Eyewitness News: “If we let down our guard with the public health precautions, that can cause spread.

“We have to remember that with this new variant, if it is more infectious, if it is more transmissible and contagious, that automatically means that more people will get sick with COVID-19.

“So, more people will be admitted to hospital; more people will die. It’s just a numbers game, so it is a concern.”  Read more >>
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Desperate Turning To ‘Sex Survival’

January 5, 2021, 6:29 am
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Alexus D’Marco

KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net

A SPOKESPERSON for the LGBT+ community says due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many in this grouping have fallen on hard times sparking a proliferation in sex work.

This “survival sex” work, according to Alexus D’Marco, has been a means for some to acquire housing and put food on the table when there is no other option available.

She highlighted the issue while announcing that the D’Marco Foundation is launching its second safe house-to-house lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people who’ve been kicked out of their homes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Asked about the affects COVID-19 has had on the LGBT+ community, she said: “There are a lot of persons who are unable to pay their rent.”

“They are unable to access basic food needs so we try to provide and collaborate with other NGOs to provide direct food.

“COVID-19 has really impacted everyone, especially those who are already vulnerable. It’s like a double whammy.”

She also said: “There has been a lot of sex work going on especially among youth who are using survival sex as a means for a place to stay and food on the table. I have also recently found out that there are persons claiming to be youth mentors and pastors in the youth bracket taking advantage of these individuals so we are trying to stand in the gap for our community as it rallies to that type of behaviour so they won’t have to be subject to that behaviour.”  Read more >>
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BPC Can Keep On Drilling Off Bahamas, Court Rules

January 6, 2021, 4:32 am
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Stena Icemax -Credit: e sadler/MarineTraffic.com

Offshore Engineer

A judge in The Bahamas has refused to grant any orders that would affect Bahamas Petroleum Corporation's current operations in the country, meaning that the drilling of Perseverance #1 well, spudded on December 20, will continue. Further hearings, however, will be held.

To remind, environmental groups early in December 2020 made an application to the Supreme Court of The Bahamas, for leave to make an application for judicial review of the decision taken by the Government of The Bahamas in February 2020 to grant Environmental Authorisation for BPC's Perseverance #1 well., with an ultimate goal to prevent drilling altogether.

BPC said Wednesday that the Honourable Justice Petra Hanna-Weekes had provided her ruling "on various matters," related to the drilling operations in the Bahamas.

"The Honourable Justice Petra Hanna-Weekes has refused to grant any orders that would affect BPC's current operations. This means that the drilling of Perseverance #1 will continue," BPC said. BPC is drilling the well using the Stena Icemax drillship.  Read more >>
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Sandals founder remembered as “loyal son of the Caribbean”

January 6, 2021, 4:38 am
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Gordon "Butch" Stewart, founder of Sandals Resorts. (PHOTO COURTESY OF SANDALS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL)

Sloan Smith
Eyewitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Condolences poured in yesterday for the late Jamaican hotelier and business mogul Gordon “Butch” Stewart, who has been memorialized by prominent members of society as a leading pioneer in tourism in the region.

Stewart, the founder of Sandals Resorts International, ATL Group and The Jamaica Observer, died on Monday at the age of 79.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis offered his condolences to Stewart’s family in a statement yesterday, noting that the news has saddened and shocked The Bahamas and the region.

“His commitment to the region was manifest in the economic impact of his properties throughout the region, including his resorts in The Bahamas at Sandals Royal Bahamian on New Providence and at Fowl Cay and Emerald Bay in the Exumas,” the prime minister said.

“He was a great friend and lover of the Islands of The Bahamas and the Bahamian people. Butch Stewart was an intrepid innovator. He was the ultimate dreamcatcher who was happy to listen to the ideas of others and to change his mind when inspired or enthused by the dreams and ideas of others.”  Read more >>
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Art back in the spotlight at Baha Mar

January 6, 2021, 4:49 am
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Baha-Mar-SLS-and-Hyatt - Photo©️ADerek Catalano

Emma Van Wynen
The Nassau Guardian

As visitors trickle into the islands of The Bahamas once again, renowned mixed-media artist and Baha Mar Creative Art Director John Cox is feeling positive about the reopening of the resort, which includes The Current Gallery and Art Center.

Prior to Baha Mar’s official reopening to the public on December 17, after an extended period of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cox explained: “It’s like a measured enthusiasm that I have. I don’t expect it to just go from zero to 100, but I am happy that it seems like there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

Since its opening in 2017, Baha Mar has been recognized by many for its artistic brilliance, showcased in myriad spaces across the 1,000-acre resort complex.

Cox was tasked with overseeing the curation of the entire property before construction of the luxury resort ever began. 

“As far back as when Baha Mar was starting, the original Baha Mar with Sarkis Izmirlian, the idea was to really populate it with Bahamian art as much as possible,” Cox said.  Read more >>
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LCIS Joins Three Prestigious Organisations

January 6, 2021, 4:56 am
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ZNS Bahamas

Lyford Cay International School, the fully accredited international school in western New Providence, has added membership in three additional prestigious organisations to its accomplishments.

LCIS is one of only 40 schools in the world authorised to offer all four International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). The institution undergoes regular, rigorous external reviews by these entities to maintain its status as an accredited school.

Recently added to LCIS’ list of associations is membership in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Tri-Association. The NAIS is a nonprofit association that provides services to more than 1,900 accredited schools, 300 of which are located outside of the United States. Similarly, the Tri-Association is a network of accredited international schools in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.  Read more >>
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Can We Bite Nib Bullet? ‘Bold Decision’ Needed - Raise Contributions To Sustain Cash Assistance

January 6, 2021, 5:01 am
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Public Services and National Insurance Minister Brensil Rolle.

 KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Insurance Minister Brensil Rolle yesterday admitted that no government has been “bold enough” to take on recommendations that National Insurance Board contributions must increase to sustain the financial viability of the social security net.

Mr. Rolle was asked yesterday about the possibility of NIB contributions increasing, as he said the agency has to date paid out in excess of $100m “to individuals primarily who have not contributed to NIB or who have contributed partially to NIB”.

He was noncommittal on whether an increase will come or when it could happen, only telling reporters it has been an ongoing discussion for years.

“I challenged the media last year to have that discussion to engage the public and let’s see their views,” the minister said before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

“Individuals have, in my opinion, now recognise(d) the true value of NIB and its contributions and the value of the contributions to the community. The government itself, in unemployment assistance alone, is spending nearly $100m to individuals primarily who have not contributed to NIB or who have contributed partially to NIB.

“So, members of the public know how important that is and I challenge the media and I offer that challenge again to the media to put it out there, to let me see what the response of the public is going to be because your platform is much, much larger than mine.”  Read more >>
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DPM: Govt’s stimulus initiative put on hold

January 6, 2021, 5:08 am
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister. (FILE PHOTO)

Sloan Smith
Eyewitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister said yesterday that the government does not have enough funds to continue its stimulus initiative, which provided contracts for repairing sidewalks and parks and has put some projects on hold temporarily.

When asked about the ongoing initiative outside Cabinet, Bannister confirmed that several of the government’s capital works have had to be stopped due to the financial constraints of the pandemic.

“That does not mean they’re not going to happen,” he assured.

“What that means is we have to be very careful about how we spend the Bahamian people’s money.

“As we go along, we anticipate being able to do more of them.

“The ones that have started, we are going to continue. The ones that have not started, we have to hold back until there’s funding available.”

Bannister did not indicate which of those projects have been stopped.

“We have a worldwide pandemic,” he said.

“We have a worldwide recession that affects everybody. We created stimulus initiatives so that Bahamians could have the dignity of working. We had people [who] were not to work for six to nine months.

“…Our tourism industry was impacted, the result of which, all of the funding that we would like to have was not available.”

The public works minister explained that $100 million in capital works has had to be held back across multiple government ministries.

“That impacts us severely, but that is just what we have to do in these circumstances,” he said.  Read more >>
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Native Stew Gallery - Framed Prints

January 6, 2021, 9:25 am
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Beautiful Bahamas framed prints are now available in our Native Stew Gallery. These stunning framed photos will make a nice addition to any home or office. Get yours now!


"ShellShock" by ©️ADerek Catalano
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January 7, 2021, 4:20 am
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Study Tracks Changes to Fishing, Culture on Island in Bahamas

January 7, 2021, 4:35 am
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Wooden boats on Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas. Credit: Nils Peterson.

Laura Oleniacz
NC State News

Interviews with fishermen and women on Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas, reveal how tourism and modern development helped change the island’s culture and environment. The island, which contains undeveloped natural areas with high biodiversity and important ecological features, has a history of artisanal fishing.

The findings, published in Ocean and Coastal Management, were drawn from interviews with 31 Andros residents between the ages of 49 and 90 years. Researchers found that tourism-related changes to fishing helped fuel environmental degradation and changed the culture in line with a theory called the “treadmill of production,” wherein faster and faster environmental exploitation is required to fuel economic growth.

The Abstract sat down with the study’s lead author Will Casola, graduate student in the NC State Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, and co-author M. Nils Peterson, professor of forestry and environmental resources at NC State, to talk about the case study.  Read more >>
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Cenbank says 9 firms will roll out Bahamas digital currency

January 7, 2021, 4:41 am
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Bnamericas

The Bahamas monetary authority has expanded on its plans for the roll out of its Sand Dollar central bank-backed digital currency (CBDC).

The Sand Dollar is the world’s first fully released CBDC, a model gaining worldwide attention as a more transparent and stable version of blockchain-based cryptocurrency.

In addition to launching the Sand Dollar’s official website on Tuesday, the bank has announced that nine as-yet-unnamed companies are on track to receive authorization to begin distributing Sand Dollars in 1Q21.

“Businesses and individuals who have already selected a digital payments provider can expect that the Sand Dollar will be available within the same environment in which they have enrolled, once their providers complete systems upgrades,” the bank said in a statement.  Read more >>
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Drake and Meek Mill reportedly go to The Bahamas to shoot new music video

January 7, 2021, 4:48 am
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Rapper Meek Mills - Image: Dan Garcia

Jiggy Jones
The Source

It looks like Drake and Meek Mill linking again to create another hit.

Back in 2018, the Toronto and Philadelphia rappers publicly reconciled. It was a proud moment in Hip-Hop after Drake invited Meek for a surprise performance during his tour. The two later reconvened on Meek’s Championships album for the multi-platinum single, “Going Bad.”

Earlier today (Jan. 6) DJ Akademiks took to Twitter to report an upcoming collaboration from the two artists, inciting that Meek has another “Drake stimmy” coming his way.  Read more >>
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Vexing delays for govt. projects in West GB

January 7, 2021, 4:59 am
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VEXING DELAYS – Four years after ground breaking ceremonies and construction began, the Eight Mile Rock Government Complex and Holmes Rock Junior High School have yet to be completed. Pictured from left (inserts) are Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe and Officer-in-Charge of the Ministry of Public Works, GB Office Toni Hudson-Bannister.

FN Night Editor Barbara Walkin

Four years after groundbreaking and promised 18-months completion dates and revised dates, the Eight Mile Rock (EMR) Government Complex, Holmes Rock Junior High School and Bimini Government Complex construction have yet to be concluded.

Residents of West Grand Bahama and Bimini have questioned the completion delays, particularly for the junior high school, which is needed in this time of the global pandemic, that calls for social/physical distancing.

The Freeport News reached out to Parliamentary Secretary of Communication and Information in the Office of the Prime Minister, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini for an update on the capital works projects in her constituencies.

“The community of West Grand Bahama remains very disappointed that the two projects are yet to be completed and the same goes for the Government Complex in Bimini,” said the MP.

“We are now going on four years,” she stated.

Parker-Edgecombe noted that the community of West Grand Bahama is in need of employment opportunities, which the completion of these projects will bring.

“As MP, I continue to petition the government to ensure the completion of these projects at soonest and will continue, as well as other needed infrastructure,” she added.

Parker-Edgecombe noted that road works are expected to begin soon in parts of West Grand Bahama, after years of having to endure poor conditions.  Read more >>
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Bahamas Ministry of Health addresses news headline about ‘CoVax’ for children

January 7, 2021, 5:08 am
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Minister of Health Renward Wells

Deandrea S. Hamilton
Magnetic Media TV

The Bahamas – January 6, 2021 – The Ministry of Health wishes to address an article stating “Govt Discussing Mandatory COVID Vaccine for Students” which emanated from an impromptu press briefing by the Minister of Health, Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

The Ministry wishes to clarify that no one under the age of 18 years of age, including children in The Bahamas, will be administered the COVID-19 vaccine. Although the Government of The Bahamas has been proactive in securing mechanisms that will give the Bahamian people access to this much-needed vaccine, the Ministry of Health underscores that administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is entirely voluntary.  Read more >>
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