Nine years after its construction, Doris Johnson Senior High School was officially opened. The ceremony was held on the school campus on Thursday, May 5.
Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham said he was ‘elated’ to be present for the event and paid tribute to its patron, the late Dame Dr. Doris Johnson.
“This school bears an impressive name; that of an accomplished Bahamian woman,” said Mr. Ingraham.
“Dame Doris was first and foremost an educator. A doctor of education, she used her skills and talents to benefit many Bahamian children including those with learning disabilities.”
Dame Johnson, he said, also became an ‘ardent’ political force by lending her voice to the Suffragette movement in the middle of the last century and helped to advance women’s rights. Her efforts were rewarded with the enfranchisement of women in The Bahamas in l962.
“She was the first woman appointed to the Bahamas senate, the first female president of the senate and the first woman named to the Cabinet as a minister.”
Dame Johnson also authored the book, ‘The Quiet Revolution,’ which chronicles the events leading up to majority rule in The Bahamas. Minister of Education, the Hon. Desmond Bannister congratulated the students and faculty for their hard work.
“This milestone could not have been realised without the steadfast dedication of committed partners,” said Mr. Bannister.
“We are grateful to all of you as once again, this support has enabled the Ministry of Education to deliver on its promise of providing enhanced teaching and learning experiences for our students in safe, healthy and productive environments.
The Doris Johnson Senior High School opened its doors in September 2002 with a student population of 634, 52 teachers and five administrators headed by Geoffrey McPhee as principal.
Today, approximately 1,000 students are enrolled at the school. The school has a faculty of 73 teachers and an administrative team of seven persons, in addition to clerical and other support staff.
The current principal is Mrs. Linda M. Major. Students of the school have also been recognised for many achievements including being recipients of distinctions in BGCSE examinations, recipients of the College of The Bahamas Prestigious President Scholarship Awards and being members of Carifta teams.
By Betty Vedrine
Bahamas Information Services
