The illegal activity of indiscriminate dumping on New Providence island is out of control. Concerned citizens now call upon relevant government ministers and agencies responsible to host a community forum where residents and the media can be appraised of what is going to be done to address this issue. We want to know plans related to clearing the waste, with timelines as well as preventative measures that will be taken.

This petition will be delivered to The Hon. Kenred Dorsett.

Please click here to view and sign the petition.

By Andrew Rolle

Public school students are being encouraged to pursue college education like never before, thanks to the Public Schools Scholars Programme. Mrs. Monique Hinsey, the programme’s administrator is no stranger to colleges and universities both locally and internationally and is regarded as a scholarship guru. She is now leveraging her experience to empower scores of public schools students and their parents of the scholarship opportunities available to them.

The Bahamian public school system has no shortage of bright minds. Many of its students are academically astute and have the aptitude necessary to matriculate to college. One of the biggest obstacles for most of the students pursuing a tertiary education, whether locally or abroad is finances – many of them simply do not have the financial resources required to fund a college/university education.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology recognized a sad reality when he assumed office. He realized that less than seven percent of scholarships were being awarded to public school students. He also noticed that the number of public schools students applying for colleges was significantly lower than private/independent school students. Bothered by this fact, Minister Fitzgerald took action and with the expertise and experience Mrs. Monique Hinsey, a scholarship programme specifically for public school students was designed in an attempt to bring some degree of equity as the public school system makes of 75% of our student population.

The Education Minister truly believes that a student’s family’s financial posture should not prohibit a child who has the desire and ability to attend college to be deprived of such an enriching life experience. “I am deeply bothered when I hear of students who have applied and been accepted to colleges having to forfeit the opportunity simply because their families cannot afford it. I don’t think money should never prevent a child from furthering their education.”

Since 2014, Mrs. Monique Hinsey has been working assiduously to secure Memoranda of Understanding with various colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. In 2015, nineteen (19) public school scholars had the opportunity to pursue their dreams of college education and this year, that number tripled to fifty-seven (57). Next year, it is hoped that at least one hundred (100) public school students will receive scholarships.

A series of events were recently held to provide students and their parents with pertinent information regarding the scholarship application process and to ensure that they are well informed to take advantage of the scholarships available through the Public School Scholars Programme.

The first event was an Open House for the district superintendents of New Providence and gave an extensive overview of the Advanced Placement (AP) programme and the Public School Scholars Programme.

The second event was a parent’s information session, a forum for parents and guardians to learn more about AP and PSSP and the other initiatives of the Scholarship Resource Centre. Testimonials by parents whose children are benefitting from the programme were shared as well.

The third event was a PSSP Student Symposium. This was a hands-on workshop for the 2017 PSSP candidates. The purpose of the workshop was to assist this year's PSSP applicants with the tools needed to complete their college applications. They were also provided support and given guidelines to writing winning college essays. More than three hundred (300) students from the eight public senior high schools in New Providence attended the symposium. The guest speaker for the event was Artist Jeffrey Meris, a graduate of C.R. Walker Senior High who shared his humbling yet life-changing college experience.

The final event was the College Round Table. The primary focus of this event was:

·         to connect 2017 PSSP candidates and their parents with the MoEST’s college partners

·         to learn more about the colleges while getting a better understanding of the admissions process

·         to give students a better understanding what the colleges are looking for in ideal college applicant

·         to provide a detailed overview of the scholarships available and the present MoEST scholarship agreements with the various institutions.

Approximately 300 parents and students attended the event. Ms. Angela Wilson who attended several of the meetings had this to say,” what an on time blessing for our Bahamian children. I have attended several of the meetings at Anatol Rodgers High School and to hear and see the excitement of the parents and students was awesome. Finally the government schools have opportunities they also deserve. Go team Hinsey! You guys are doing an awesome work. Continue to be a blessing to the children.”

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has established partnership agreements with the following colleges/universities:

1.    University of The Bahamas

2.    Middle Tennessee State University

3.    Central State University - Ohio

4.    College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University - Minnesota

5.    State University of New York – Oswego

6.    Holland College – Canada

7.    University of Prince Edward Island - Canada

8.    University of the Ozarks – Arkansas

9.    St. Leo University - Florida

10.  Monroe College – New York

11. Texas Southern University

12. St. Mary’s University - Canada

13. King’s University College - Canada

14. Taylor University - Indiana

All public school students are encouraged to take advantage of the PSSP. For more information regarding the PSSP, contact your school’s guidance counsellor or the Scholarship Resource Centre of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology at 502-9025.

For more information on The Bahamas Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, visit www.ministryofeducationbahamas.com

Source: Bahamas Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

The Old Dominion Monarchs have accepted a bid to represent Conference USA in the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. The bowl game will be played on Friday, December 23 at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. In this photo, Old Dominion's Zach Pascal, right, celebrates a win over Florida International with head coach Bobby Wilder, left. (Photo: AP)

Old Dominion will play in a bowl game for the first time in school history as they accepted a bid to represent Conference USA (C-USA) in the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl on Friday, December 23 at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

The Old Dominion University (ODU) Monarchs' opponent for the third Popeyes Bahamas Bowl is still to be determined with a team from either the American Athletic Conference (AAC) or the Mid-American Conference (MAC) participating. The Popeyes Bahamas Bowl will be played at 1 p.m. on December 23, as opposed to being played on Christmas Eve, which it was for the two previous games; and the contest will be televised live on ESPN and broadcast on the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Radio Network.

The early invitation allows ODU additional time to prepare to play in an international destination, including obtaining passports for those who still need them to travel to The Bahamas as well as giving extra time for fans to make their travel plans to Nassau for bowl week.

Information on tickets to the 2016 bowl is available online at PopeyesBahamasBowl.com. A reminder is sent out to all U.S. citizens who wish to attend the game that they must have a valid U.S. passport to enter The Bahamas.

The Monarchs (9-3 overall, 7-1 Conference USA) will be led to their first-ever bowl appearance by Head Coach Bobby Wilder, who is in his eighth season (66-30 record overall) at the school, and the school's only head coach since the program re-started in 2009.

"We are pleased that Old Dominion will be competing in the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl," said Richard Giannini, executive director of the bowl game. "Coach Bobby Wilder and his staff have done a tremendous job in preparing the Monarchs all season long, and we look forward to hosting them in Nassau for their first bowl game."

Coach Wilder said: "We are all thrilled to play in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. The coaches I spoke with about the bowl said it is a great experience for the kids, which is what this is all about. This is an historic moment for Old Dominion University and our football program. The 2016 season will be remembered for the 9-3 overall record and the 7-1 record in Conference USA. It will be remembered for the kids making history with a bowl game.

"The bowl game is historic, it is special. I will remember the young people who represented the 11 letters across their chest that say Old Dominion with class and dignity."

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe congratulated the Monarchs on the historic feat.

"We look forward to welcoming the team to the beautiful island of New Providence. We hope that they perform well on the field, and of course, we also hope they get a chance to enjoy a bit of our culture. Christmas time is indeed a wonderful time to be in The Bahamas. We at the Ministry of Tourism will ensure that they feel welcomed."

Sports Tourism Marketing Director in the Ministry of Tourism Virginia Kelly said the bowl game is expected to be even more successful than the last two editions.

"We expect a bigger crowd and an exciting game. We encourage Bahamians to come out and enjoy a day for family, fun and football. There will be lots of excitement on the field during game time, but trust me, you don't want to miss all of the tailgating and halftime activities."

The Monarchs will come into the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl with a five-game win streak and wins in eight of their last nine games. ODU has the top rushing offense in C-USA, averaging 199.1 yards per game behind junior running back Ray Lawry, who ran for 1,112 yards (102.0 yards per game), had six 100-yard rushing games and 11 touchdowns. Sophomore running back Jeremy Cox rushed for 685 yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior quarterback David Washington threw for 2,648 yards and 28 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Senior wide receiver Zach Pascal, who caught 63 passes for 893 yards and eight touchdowns, has caught a pass in 48 consecutive games - tied for the longest current streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

The Monarchs had the second-best scoring defense in the conference, holding opponents to an average of 27.8 yards per game and led C-USA in turnover margin at +13, thanks to 12 fumble recoveries and 10 interceptions against a league-low nine turnovers on offense. The defense also recorded 34 sacks, second in the conference. Sophomore defensive end Oshane Ximines had 7.5 sacks while junior defensive end Bunmi Rotimi added seven. Senior cornerback Aaron Young led the team with three interceptions.

"Today's announcement represents the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice and commitment. Our student-athletes have been grinding every day to improve and grow our program," said ODU Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig. "Our coaching staff, led by Head Coach Bobby Wilder, has recruited wisely and they served as great teachers to get the program to this level of success in such a relatively short period of time.

"Our university administration, starting with President John Broderick, has generously provided the resources, facilities and philosophical support needed to compete at this high level of FBS football. Our fan support for ODU football is second to none and continues to turn heads nationally with their incredible tangible support of our program. I am most impressed with the job done by our student-athletes and coaches this season and participation in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl is the perfect reward for a scrapbook season."

For more information on the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, the public is asked to visit the website PopeyesBahamasBowl.com or call (242) 325-0376.

Hundreds of college football fans are expected to travel to Nassau for the event. Tickets are on sale now at the stadium's box office and online at www.nsa-bahamas.com.

University of Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari yesterday suggested making the Bahamas game an annual event.

Although National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball teams travel all around the world to play in various tournaments and showcases, it appears that the University of Kentucky Wildcats and their coach John Calipari have found somewhat of a second home in The Bahamas.

In 2014, the Wildcats hosted their Big Blue Bahamas Tour, and due to its success, the university inked a deal to return to The Bahamas last year.

Now, back again, the Wildcats will take on Arizona State on the second leg of a home-and-away series today at Atlantis resort.

On their Big Blue Tour, the Wildcats took on national teams from France, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

And although NCAA teams are allowed just one foreign tour every four years, Calipari hopes that the Wildcats could schedule a game annually in The Bahamas.

"The guys get here (Atlantis), they eat until they can't anymore and the setup is great," he said. "Everything here is self contained and the flight here is just two hours away from our campus. Two hours, and we are in another world.

"Even if we don't come back this summer, the next summer I want to do the same thing. Get three FIBA teams to come down here and play us. This time I think we will get even better FIBA teams because the word is out on what it is.

"The other thing is I would love to play down here every year. Lets get an opponent, come down and play and make it something that we do every year, not every four years."

The last time the Wildcats came down to The Bahamas, they ended up having one of the best seasons in collegiate basketball history.

The Wildcats finished 38-1 overall and spent the entire season ranked as the No.1 team in the country. They breezed through the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament before being upset by the Wisconsin Badgers in the Final Four.

In the six-game Big Blue Tour, the University of Kentucky went 5-1, losing only to the Dominican Republic on the final day of the tour.

Randy Smith, Guardian Sports Reporter