For the eighth consecutive year, Cabinet ministers and educators along with hundreds of parents and students packed the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium for the Ministry of Education and Commonwealth Bank’s Parenting Forum and walked away not only inspired to tackle the new school year but equipped with the necessary tools.

The theme of this year’s forum, hosted by the New Providence Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools (NAPPSS), was Parents, Schools, The Community: Shaping the Finished Product which showcased the comprehensive approach necessary to ensure the overall success in educating the nation’s children. These sentiments were echoed in the remarks of guest speakers, including the Minister of Education: Jeffrey Lloyd.

“Less than 50% of our students are graduating from high school,” said the Minister who oversees nearly 160 public schools and a total public and private school student population of some 66,000.

“I don’t think we can be proud of that. We are seeing a downward trend in the positive results of our exams. We are failing.

Countries around us are going up, we are going down. So all of us must get on board and we have to turn this around because we must turn this around.”

“Commonwealth Bank understands that education is indeed a partnership,” shared T. Nicola McKay, Principal C.R. Walker Senior High School.

“The Ministry of Education alone cannot foot the bill for the cost of educating our children.

There would be no forum without the donation of the bags, books, pens, pencils and the lunch that is also provided by Commonwealth Bank.”

Bringing remarks on behalf of Ian Jennings, Commonwealth Bank’s President, Sr. VP Credit Risk Denise Turnquest added, “Children whose parents are involved in their education earn higher grades, have a much better chance of graduating, are less likely to drop out of school, are more likely to go onto higher education, have better social skills so they get along better with people, and they are more likely to like school.”

With the start of the new school year only two days away for most, it was the national exam results that was on the mind of many and the Education Minister did not dodge the stark reality of the country’s educational standings.

“Let me help you understand something, education is your responsibility,” Lloyd said, addressing parents and students directly.

”At the end of the day, we are going to help you but it’s what you do with the opportunity you have to make it happen for you. The opportunity you have now, you may not have again,” he told students.

To parents, he had a different message.

“God gave these children to you. You have a fundamental responsibility for these children. It is your responsibility to see that these children be what they come to earth to be.”

Between spirited charges, attendees were entertained by the sounds of the Royal Bahamas Police Pop Band.

This was the 11th year Commonwealth Bank partnered with the Ministry of Education for back to school supplies and the eighth time it sponsored the Parenting Forum, providing well-stocked book bags, pencils, composition books and lunch for all.

Over the last decade Commonwealth Bank has invested over $2 million in education including over 110,000 backpacks.

The forum also provided the opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of students who gave stellar performances during the standardized examinations of the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education exams.

Commonwealth Bank Sponsors Parenting Forum in partnership with the Ministry for Education. Pictured (l-r): T. Nicola McKay, Principal C.R. Walker Senior High School; Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education; Denise Turnquest, Sr. VP Credit Risk Commonwealth Bank and Lionel Sands, Director of Education in the Ministry of Education.