School Board Elections

Wed, Oct 22nd 2014, 01:44 PM

Please be advised that School Board Elections are scheduled to be conducted on Friday, 28th October, 2014. This year, The Ministry has seen the need to increase the number of School Boards by five, increasing the total number to 55 Boards, across the chain of islands. The new boards are as follows:

Abaco Central Primary School Marsh Harbour, Abaco

Abaco Central High School Marsh Harbour, Abaco

Central Eleuthera High School North Palmetto Point,

Eleuthera L.N. Coakley High School George Town, Exuma

North Andros High School Nicholls Town, Andros

School Boards were officially implemented following a 1996 amendment to the Education Act (Chapter 46) that made provision for such Boards.

The implementation of School Boards is a deliberate part of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s process of decentralization and 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, that is, schools, parents and others, are active participants in the delivery of education within that community.

School Boards play a very significant role in establishing accountability and responsibility in the efficient management of schools. According to Part II of the Articles of Management of the Education Act, School Boards are responsible for:

· Minor repairs and maintenance of school premises.

· School furniture and equipment.

· School books and materials.

· Improvements or extensions to school premises.

School Boards must also be in full consultation at all times with the Principal and may approve the following:

· The use of school premises outside of school hours.

· Appointments of Principals and teachers (making recommendations, if deemed necessary, for the consideration of the Department of Education).

· All major proposals affecting the conduct and curriculum of the school.

· Student suspensions, registration, attendance and examination of pupils.

· The discipline to be enforced on pupils both inside and outside the schools.

· The punishment and suspension of pupils.

· The health, cleanliness and medical inspection of pupils.

· School holidays and variations in the school calendar to be enjoyed by teachers and pupils.

· The internal organization and management of the school.

As can be seen, the scope of the School Board is quite broad and an effective school board will realize its vision by maintaining a collaborative relationship with its school’s administration and with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Although the individual success of each School Board will vary depending on its level of collaboration with the school, it is undeniable that they have improved the function of individual schools overall throughout the years.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology looks forward to increasing the number of School Boards in the upcoming October elections and encouraging existing Boards to fully utilize their role, therefore enhancing community partnership with the Ministry of Education.

 

Source: Bahamas National

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