NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Minister of Education the Hon. Desmond Bannister congratulated the partners and participants of the Academic Resilience Leadership Programme coordinated by the Counselling Department of The College of The Bahamas.
“This programme is indeed a landmark undertaking in Bahamian education. Not only have we piloted it here in The Bahamas, we have also pioneered the programme in both Jamaica and St Lucia and in the process have helped hundreds of students,” Mr Bannister said during the ceremony to announce the conclusion of the programme on Monday.
The aim of the three-year project Organisation of American States funded programme was to ensure students benefited from the guidance and resources availed to them for the duration of the project, he said in The College of The Bahamas Executive Boardroom. The Ministry of Education”s Guidance Counselling Unit as well as student tutors and mentors were also a part of the programme, which incorporated students from New Providence, Exuma, Grand Bahama and Long Island, Mr Bannister noted.
The project also provided comprehensive data to access students” mindset relative to tertiary education and what needs to done to ensure that as many of them throughout The Bahamas have an opportunity to pursue higher education, the Education Minister said.
“This programme seeks to create a ‘tipping point” so that its children can stay on track through college and go on to the job market prepared to meet the demands placed on them,” he said.
“Our Academic Resiliency Programme is providing critical support at the school level and first year of college. The day may soon come however, to involve the entire Bahamian community at a greater level because too many of our students are falling through the cracks.”
Mr Bannister said resiliency is very important at every level of students” progression (from kindergarten to college) to ensure that each and every student receives the support and encouragement that will enable them to thrive in education. “We know that all of them do not have the same learning abilities, the same learning styles nor do you come from the same environment,” he said.
“It is therefore imperative that those of us who are charged with education should employ innovative techniques and create sparks of zeal in our students so that they can look within themselves and realise that they have the potential to go further than they or others think they can.”
Vice President, Student Affairs, Colyn Major said COB”s Counselling and Health Services Department led by the project”s coordinator, Dr Suzanne Newbold, discovered learning deficits and worked “tirelessly” to provide solutions to aid young Bahamian students. Mr Major explained that over 200 students and a total of 15 institutions benefited from the programme.
“During the course of three years, students were assessed and their collective strengths and weaknesses were documented as it pertained to study skills, retention and recall of information,” he said. “Students were provided with information as to how to improve their learning ability.
“Peer mentors and tutors provided support for students with academic difficulties and at the end of the programme, students were able to use computer-based technology to enhance their career and academic abilities,” Mr Major said.
By Llonella Gilbert
Bahamas Information Services
