ministryofeducation

Fifty-eight dollars and thirty-three cents is reportedly the monthly increase a classroom teacher receives upon being promoted to senior master, senior mistress or edication officer in the public school system.

On paper, it is a promotion, but in reality, does it feel like one?

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology this week celebrated the promotion of several educators, describing the appointments as part of its effort to strengthen school leadership, fill administrative vacancies and improve morale across the public education system.

Those objectives are important. Every successful school depends on strong leadership, but leadership also comes with a price.

Unlike classroom teachers, senior masters and senior mistresses generally work longer hours, remain on duty throughout the summer, carry significant administrative responsibilities and serve as the bridge between teachers, principals, parents and the ministry.

The role demands more accountability, paperwork, meetings and pressure.

Yet according to education union officials, the additional compensation is just $58.33 per month.

How does the Bahamas value leadership in education?

Promotion has traditionally represented more than a new title, because it signals experience, professional growth and recognition.

It tells educators that years of service, advanced qualifications and leadership potential have been rewarded. But when the financial difference is measured in mere dollars and cents rather than hundreds, that begins to fade.

The discussion became even more troubling when Bahamas Educators Management Union President Stephen McPhee revealed that some newly promoted administrators have yet to receive even that increase because their employment records have not been updated while serving in administration capacity.

For some, significant retroactive payments remain outstanding.

That means some educators are already carrying additional responsibilities while continuing to receive their previous teacher salary.

Across the public sector, governments often encourage professional development, higher qualifications and career advancement. But advancement must remain meaningful.

If promotions demand significantly greater responsibility without meaningful improvement in compensation, they risk becoming less attractive to the very people the system hopes to retain.

That creates a long-term challenge. Who will become tomorrow’s leaders in education?

Experienced teachers already face growing demands inside the classroom. If moving into administration requires sacrificing evenings, summers and work-life balance for little financial reward, many may reasonably decide the promotion is not worth pursuing.

The figure of $58.33 demonstrates how leadership in education is perceived and how experience is rewarded.

Some Ghanaian teachers have taught more than 100 students in a single classroom. Others have held lessons under trees because there were no school buildings.

Those are some of the realities former public school teacher Akosua Saffy says many educators have faced—experiences that could shape the 300 Ghanaian teachers expected to join Bahamian classrooms this school year.

Saffy spent six years teaching in Ghana’s public education system, working as both a classroom teacher and an English Language specialist in the rural village of Oppongkrom in the country’s Eastern Region. Her experience offers a glimpse into the conditions many Ghanaian educators have endured—and why many may welcome the opportunity to teach in the Bahamas.

One of the most surprising realities she describes is the prevalence of multigrade classrooms, where a single teacher is responsible for teaching two grade levels simultaneously because there simply aren’t enough teachers.

“Some teachers are responsible for well over 100 students,” she said, making it nearly impossible to provide every child with individual attention.

The shortages go beyond staffing.

While many schools have improved over the years, Saffy said some rural communities still teach children under trees or inside temporary structures built from mud, wood, or palm materials.

Others lack textbooks, libraries, computer labs, playgrounds, desks, and basic teaching supplies.

In many cases, teachers purchase classroom materials with their own salaries so students have the resources needed to learn.

Yet despite these obstacles, Saffy says Ghanaian teachers continue to adapt.

“They improvise, adapt, and remain committed because they genuinely believe every child deserves access to quality education,” she explained.

Her account also highlights a challenge that may surprise many Bahamians. Ghana has qualified teachers waiting for appointments, while some rural schools remain critically understaffed because of an uneven distribution of educators.

According to Saffy, many teachers seek transfers away from remote communities where daily commutes can involve dangerous roads or even crossing rivers by boat.

“Sadly, there have been tragic incidents where teachers have lost their lives while travelling to work,” she noted.

She also acknowledged long-standing public concerns about corruption and unofficial payments influencing teacher postings, saying many educators feel compelled to pursue urban placements where schools are better equipped and living conditions are less demanding.

Although she stresses that bribery is wrong, Saffy believes many teachers are responding to difficult realities rather than a lack of commitment.

Low salaries, delayed payments, and limited professional support have also driven many teachers to leave the profession altogether. Saffy eventually did the same and now lives in Europe pursuing new career opportunities.

Still, she describes teaching as one of the most meaningful chapters of her life.

“I believe many Ghanaian teachers would gladly embrace the opportunity to teach in the Bahamas—not simply because of better pay, but because they want to work in an environment where they are valued, supported, and equipped to give their very best.”

As debate continues over the recruitment of foreign teachers, Saffy believes Bahamians should not underestimate what Ghanaian educators can contribute.

“They are hardworking professionals who genuinely care about the success, character, and future of every child they teach.”

Her comments come as Education Minister Chester Cooper confirmed that the incoming Ghanian teachers will undergo the same recruitment process as Bahamian educators and receive the same benefits under standard employment contracts.

“It’s going to be a standard process of recruitment and standard contracts,” Cooper said. “These foreign teachers would be aligned with the same benefit packages that Bahamian teachers would receive. They will stay as long as they’re needed.”

Cooper acknowledged that teacher shortages have affected the Bahamas for decades and said the Davis administration intends to address the issue methodically.

The Bahamas is short of roughly three hundred teachers.

That is the number the government wants the public to focus on regarding vacancies. But that’s not the real story.

The real question is, why are so many teachers leaving the profession in the first place?

When Education Minister Chester Cooper addressed the shortage in Parliament, he described efforts to recruit more teachers and fill vacancies before the start of the new school year. What he did not explain is why those vacancies exist.

Teacher shortages do not appear overnight, but are the result of a profession that fewer people want to enter and more people want to leave.

The public often views teaching as a stable and respectable career, and for generations, it was exactly that. Teaching offered a reliable salary, respect and the opportunity to shape young lives.

Today, many young teachers face a different reality.

Classrooms are packed with more than thirty students.

Others describe struggling to manage behavioural issues with limited support. Many spend hours outside the classroom preparing lessons, grading assignments and completing administrative tasks that follow them home long after school is dismissed.

Then there are physical conditions.

Teachers have complained for years about overcrowded classrooms, ageing infrastructure, excessive heat and inadequate ventilation. While students experience those conditions for part of the day, teachers often endure them for an entire workweek.

The result is a level of burnout that rarely makes headlines.

Many young teachers enter the profession motivated by a desire to help children. Some leave after discovering that passion alone does not pay bills, reduce workloads or solve disciplinary challenges.

Salary is also part of the problem.

Teaching requires training, certification and significant responsibility. Yet many young professionals can often find careers in banking, insurance, tourism, government agencies or the private sector that offer higher earning potential and less stress.

Teachers care, but the profession asks too much while offering too little in return.

The government’s response so far has focused largely on recruitment as a symptom and not the cause.

If many teachers are leaving classrooms, then replacing them without fixing the underlying issues only creates a revolving door—new teachers arrive, frustration builds, and more teachers leave.

And the cycle continues.

Until policymakers are willing to ask why young teachers are walking away, finding new teachers may prove easier than keeping them. And that is a problem no recruitment drive can solve.

Friends of a young woman killed after her car crashed and hit a tree early Saturday morning, are grieving her loss.

“My sweet, smart, selfless Jada. I can’t believe this. I am in shock. I seriously cannot fathom this,” friend Quin Poitier lamented.

Poitier and other friends took to social media to honour the life of  23-year-old Jada Swann who was killed on West Bay Street, near Poop Deck restaurant when she attempted to overtake a vehicle while driving a 2019 Kia Rio.

Fire services used the Jaws of Life to pull her from the mangled car, but she died on the scene.

She and Poitier were friends for nine years and during their friendship, they often discussed life after death.

“It always felt like we grew up together,” Poitier said. “To know [her] is to love [her]. I wish I could change this.”

Swann was a 2017 Public School Scholar, an award granted by the Ministry of Education to graduates of public schools. She graduated from CV Bethel Senior High School, after which she studied at Monroe College in New York and recently obtained her Master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University.

In 2018, it was no surprise she received the top award in Commerce after sitting the BGCSE examinations. She expressed that her plans were to be a successful businesswoman.

Public School Scholars Programme Administrator Monique Hinsey remembered her and expressed sorrow at her tragic death.

Jermeka Johnson, another friend of Swann said she “impacted so many lives and did it effortlessly.”

Vashti Aleisha echoed the sentiments. “To know [her] was to love [her]. She never got mad or loud or mean. [She was] the true meaning of elegance and grace and humility in person. [She was] always been kind, selfless, and a real light to everyone around [her].

Her friend from high school, Simeon Farquharson said his last conversation with Swann was Wednesday when they promised to catch up on Saturday, the day she died.

“[I’m] honestly bewildered,” he said. “I don’t know how to deal with this.”

Family and friends are grieving the sudden loss of a guidance counselor killed in a car crash off Queen’s Highway, Eleuthera on Friday.

“I am in complete disbelief and feel completely broken. I don’t know what else to say,” best friend D’Licia Taylor said.

Chara Major, a resident of Tarpum Bay, was killed after 5 pm in Salt Bluff when her grey Nissan Note hit a Casuarina tree. Images circulating social media show extensive damage to the vehicle from which she had to be extricated.

Taylor who was also her makeup artist remembers her infectious smile. “It’s hard to say goodbye. It’s really bad and I’m trying. I have so many questions…How am I supposed to do your brows, which lipstick you want…No more nothing? That smile and that grin…I just don’t know.”

The 27-year-old guidance counselor was recently posted at three primary schools in Eleuthera last year September–Emily G. Petty Primary, Emma Cooper Primary and James Cistern Primary Schools–where teachers said she “truly loved what she did and cherished her students and colleagues.”

Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin expressed her sympathies on social media, describing Major’s death as “tremendous loss to the nation.”

After her tragic death, family members were trying to locate one of her beloved pet dogs named Tavari which she often took with her to makeup appointments. Her aunt Anthea Karagiannis said the dog was apparently removed from an apartment where she lived on the island.

“Tafari is a member of our family and we are further distraught to learn that we can not locate [him].”

Major graduated from St John’s College in Nassau, studied psychology at Winston Salem State University and soon returned home to begin her career, which was short-lived.

Principal Olivia Daxon went on vacation as teachers at Thelma Gibson Primary School continue to lobby for her dismissal.

In a press statement, Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said the ministry consented to Daxon’s request for vacation leave.

The big story

Thelma Gibson Primary School was thrust into the spotlight following a conflict between Daxon and a teacher who alleged Daxon attacked her.

Since then other teachers have protested Daxon’s presence at the school, demonstrating in front of the Prime Minister’s Office and garnering 402 votes from parents to remove Daxon as principal. President of the Bahamas Union of Teachers Belinda Wilson says Daxon’s ‘leadership style, behavior and conduct’ breed contention.

Daxon was transferred from Carlton E Francis Primary School following tension with staff.

Why it matters

Teachers have refused to show up for work and Friday’s emergency meeting at the school was held to prompt teachers to go back to work. However, the meeting turned chaotic when Daxon’s children showed up and a brawl erupted.

What happens next?

The Minister of Education Glenys Hanna Martin has not made it clear what her ministry will do when Daxon returns from vacation. Will she continue as principal?

It remains to be seen how teachers will react to Daxon’s absence.

Picture credit: Facebook

School is back in session but teachers are worrying about one more thing besides lesson planning: hot classrooms with no air conditioning which makes teaching and learning near impossible.

Teachers took to social media to vent their frustrations and to plead for fans to cool their sweltering classrooms.

A teacher at Huntley Christie High School in North Andros, Antoine Duncombe said, “Ain’t no way learning can take place. The sun just feels like it’s sitting on earth this time around. These classrooms are hotter than before with two or three working ceiling fans, out of the six.

“This is not conditions teachers and students should have to bare…Please donate three fans for my classroom… We burning up and I out here dressed up daily in shirt and tie.”

Many classrooms in public schools hold approximately 30 students, making it difficult for natural air to blow through the room. And, many classrooms have only ceiling fans which may be inoperable.

It is common for some teachers to purchase fans, but they do nothing to beat the intolerable heat.

A teacher at C.H. Reeves Junior High in New Providence D’Metria Smith begged for assistance from social media users.  “This heat is criminal. Please donate four fans to my classroom.”

In another post, she implored again, “I need four fans please,” as Sharell Edwards of Anatol Rodgers High School solicited an air conditioning unit because “the heat is vicious.”

Cameron Hanna, a teacher in Grand Bahama, described his classroom as “a sauna.”

Classrooms are becoming hotter as global temperatures rise, which can have a dire effect on learning. Summer months are particularly hotter with daytime temperatures reaching about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

A teacher at Eight Mile Rock High School in Grand Bahama, Prisca Hunt, asked, “Dear Mr Prime Minister, how are we teachers supposed to go the extra mile you requested of us in these scorching, inferno, sauna-degrees classrooms?”

And Canovia Ferguson requested that the government “provide comfortable classrooms for our students–classrooms in which our students can concentrate on what the teacher is saying rather than fighting to sit in front of one of the two fans in the class which was purchased by the teacher by the way.”

Some social media users responded favorably, pledging to donate fans to teachers.

The weather seems to be hotter than in past summers and government may have to consider a new type of cooling unit to ensure comfortable classrooms for learning to take place.

Popular Bahamian entertainer and educator Sonovia Pierre posted the pay scale of public school teachers on social media and the revelation left users astounded at the salary of teachers employed by the Ministry of Education.

The music teacher, who also holds a Master’s Degree, asked why teachers’ salary was so low.

“Why Lord?” she exclaimed.

According to the S12 scale of 2016, a technical teacher with a City and Guilds Final Technology Diploma and teacher training earns $25,200.

The starting salary for Technical teachers with a Bachelor’s Degree is $26,600.

The salary of a Trained Teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree is $28,000; with a Master’s Degree, it is $28,700 and with a Doctorate, the salary is $29,400.

Teachers receive an increase of two salary increases of $700 each year. But the most money a teacher can earn in the public service is $39,900 according to the new industrial agreement.

Social media users were shocked at the revelation.

“That cannot be real,” Margo Newbold said in disbelief.

Sandra Marshall chimed in, “It’s a crying shame.”

Lorca Bowe exclaimed, “They have to be crazy…” while Rhondi Treco called for a major increase in salary for teachers.

“It will remain that way unless trained and degreed teachers and other professionals collectively demand $65,000 for salaries like those publicly or politically appointed untrained or unqualified friends, families and or lovers,” said Elaine Ann.

The Ministry of Education has complained of a teacher shortage as more educators leave the system for employment elsewhere.

Dionne Benjamin Smith said now she “see why teachers are leaving this place.”

Throughout the years, the Bahamas Union of Teachers has lobbied for a pay increase for teachers, arguing the significance of the job, the heavy workload of class preparation, and the strain of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, President Belinda Wilson petitioned for higher pay for teachers but it was denied. However, increases on allowances were granted like rental assistance and hardship allowances for teachers moving to the islands, among other allowances.

Dental and vision insurance were also granted.

If teachers continue to be paid a low salary, many more will seek second jobs to supplement their monthly pay, while others will outrightly abandon the job for higher salaries.

A teacher’s complaint spread across social media resulting in a new desk for her classroom.

Francheska McBride is a teacher who had an old desk sitting on two blocks since 2016, she claimed. As school was scheduled to reopen last week, she took to social media to vent her frustrations.

“Come to work they said. Everything is fixed they said. But yet my desk on blocks and it been like this since 2016.”

McBride’s comment sparked reaction from her followers, many appalled by the condition of the teacher’s desk.

“This is sad,” Rufus Emmanuel said.

Branell Thurston joined the chorus. “If a teacher decides to go to work in this condition that’s on him or her. No way should this be in a classroom. That’s for rodents in a dump.”

The social media post caught the attention of the Ministry of Education which gifted her with a new desk for the new school year.

McBride celebrated the new desk, expressing gratitude to the Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne.

“Thank you…for supplying me with a new desk and chair. This is greatly appreciated. I was too excited. Thank you, thank you.”

Her social media followers were also happy with her new desk.

Tess Amor said, “Facebook powerful I must say.”

Kenderia Nairn posted, “Only when you complain is when you see change.”

Andrea Coleby said, “Wow this was quick. Happy for you hun. Lemme go post that I poor. If yal share it they may send me some money.”

Semaj Bunch simply exclaimed, “Awesome.”

Top achievers from public and private institutions throughout the country who excelled in the 2020 national Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examinations were celebrated at the National Awards Presentations hosted by the Examination & Assessment Division of the Ministry of Education.

Stephanardo Rolle accepts his award for Best Overall BJC Performance by a male
in Government Schools from the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education.

Kerrine Simeon is the recipient of the Best Overall BJC Performance in Government Schools’ award. She receives her award from the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education.

Cherkadin Wells is the recipient of the Most Outstanding BJC performance award, Best Overall BJC Performance in Independent Schools and BJC Best by Island (New Providence) award. Minister Jeffrey Lloyd presents him with his awards.

Chardonnay Garrick, a student of the University of The Bahamas, received the Marjorie Davis Award for Best Overall BGCSE Performance in Government Schools. She is pictured centre with the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education and Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.

Kamori Sawyer accepts awards from the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education. She is the recipient of the Paul Adderley Award for Most Outstanding BGCSE Performance, the Carol Hanna Award for Best Overall BGCSE Performance in Independent Schools and BGCSE Best by Island (New Providence).

BIS Photos/Kristaan Ingraham