The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) recently graduated its final cohort of students.
The 37 administrators completed the 12-month IEL course on leadership, the school environment, curriculum development, school finance, research and evaluation, community relations and issues and trends in education.
Lionel Sands, director of education, commended the graduates for believing that the growth of the nation's educational system required "effective" and "efficient" leaders who were willing to adapt their priorities to meet the demands of today.
Sands told the administrators that the pins they received at their May 22 graduation represented their willingness to grow in their vocation.
"Our schools are filled with students who have various learning abilities and who come from varied backgrounds, therefore you must be capable of managing learning academies within your classrooms. Each academy must serve the needs of your students."
The education director said that, as the head teachers on their respective school campuses, they must work with their teachers for the good of the schools. He told them to listen to their teachers' advice, and wherever practical, take the advice, embrace their ideas and give them credit for it.
"Leadership can be rewarding when you are member of a team," said Sands. He reminded them that it could also be frustrating if they go at it alone.
As the class was the final one to graduate from IEL as it is today, a program sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology through a partnership with The College of The Bahamas, going forward, Sands said the IEL would be included in the offerings of the Professional Development Institute, a training center for education stakeholders located at the former Mabel Parker Primary School.
He said the IEL would not be retired, as it is necessary for the development of schools.
"The Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald is of the view that any teacher seeking upwardly mobility in the administrative path must do IEL prior to applying for a position. That way, the cart will not be before the horse," Sands said.
The IEL program was implemented in 2007 under former Minister of Education Alfred Sears. To date 348 administrators have participated in the institute.

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