History will record his time as the catalyst? (Oh lawd, she still doesn't get it.) Again my retort is that the changes that he made may have actually delayed the deterioration or improved the scores we are presently discussing (believe it or not).

The book club is an excellent effort that targets primary school kids in particular (but also has an adult reading selection as well). Yet again I have to throw facts your way. It's called looking ahead and making a grand effort to ensure that future generations know the value of reading - Something that past education ministers did not do (probably because they knew that many persons in this nation would not see the value in it). Many persons look at the current scores and automatically link them to the present minister. It's no wonder that no one in this Bahamian government likes to implement solutions that are long term - someone else might get the credit.

What will it take to make some people understand that there is no way that a present minister can be responsible for current BGCSE failures, unless he happened to be Minister for the entire duration of their education?

His time will be viewed as the breakdown from bad to worse. Im not blaming him im just letting you know that one puff piece reading session and him having two portfoilios have history dictating that it isn’t looking too favourable for him.What are you not seeing that I have already gotten. Yeah that stick sure is deep.All this to say you made up your mind already Im just not buying into it. Time will tell.

What are you not seeing that I have already gotten.

That it was already "worse" before he even got the position of Minister.

Saying that it went from bad to worse in 3-4 years because of one Minister is deceptive. Bahamians are quick to put the blame on the persons at the top (who change every couple of years because of Cabinet shuffles), while the blame should be collectively put on all of us within this nation's social and educational systems (who haven't changed what is necessary to show improvement).

If our "history writers" place blame on Minister Sears, then they are probably politically motivated and in actuality shouldn't be writing history because they haven't looked at the bigger picture. I spoke to a former FNM MP yesterday and he said that the Education results which we see now were expected a long time ago. It simply happened that no one made a move to change the situation together as a country. We have too much politricking and pointing fingers, when we all need to take responsibility, as well as the blame.

I am a Canadian, so i can give you as unbiased an opinion on the state of the education system in the Bahamas as anyone...it's an OUTRAGE...it's a DISGRACE...you Bahamians better CHANGE it and CHANGE it NOW!!!

it's an OUTRAGE...it's a DISGRACE...you Bahamians better CHANGE it and CHANGE it NOW!!!

Amen.

That it was already "worse" before he even got the position of Minister.

Saying that it went from bad to worse in 3-4 years because of one Minister is deceptive. Bahamians are quick to put the blame on the persons at the top (who change every couple of years because of Cabinet shuffles), while the blame should be collectively put on all of us within this nation's social and educational systems (who haven't changed what is necessary to show improvement).

If our "history writers" place blame on Minister Sears, then they are probably politically motivated and in actuality shouldn't be writing history because they haven't looked at the bigger picture. I spoke to a former FNM MP yesterday and he said that the Education results which we see now were expected a long time ago. It simply happened that no one made a move to change the situation together as a country. We have too much politricking and pointing fingers, when we all need to take responsibility, as well as the blame.

thank god im not a historian.:liar:

I am a Canadian, so i can give you as unbiased an opinion on the state of the education system in the Bahamas as anyone...it's an OUTRAGE...it's a DISGRACE...you Bahamians better CHANGE it and CHANGE it NOW!!!

I wonder how Bahamians feel about Bahamians who werent schooled in the Bahamian system (like me) and see defiencies for what they really are.
Maybe I did come off a little strong against Sears- but he knows better he lived in NYC all those years and observed how it was operated (this is where my bias is) and then he comes home to half arse the ministry and his apologist make excuses for him like the man sucks his dic for a living, but I digress.I know yb is coming after me but who gives a sh!t let him come. The NY case study is one we should look at- what and what not to do. it's not the best- far from it but the concepulisation of it is outstanding they have different kinds of schools- we dont even have a marine science academy and that's what most of our resources lie in... I could go on and on. The naysayers and pessimist will come with "we dont have the money" double speak but fuc them we have to spend the money its a national disgrace for the education system to continue to fail its children. clipping wings...My mother's "2 lil people" her Irish twins dont deserve that and neither does any Bahamian kids.

The irony for me is that the superintendent of that school system then (rudy crew) came out of retirement to help s. florida schools (which I am a product of)

May i put a few things to right here:

First time Mr Sears has visited st Andrew's in a long, long time. He was overdue!

Mr Sears is Minister of Education for ALL Bahamians, ( as has already been stated).

St Andrew's provides full scholarships (currently about 20 in secondary school) for kids in Government Schools.

Many parents at St Andrew's struggle to meet the fees, are not really wealthy, make huge sacrifices for their child to attend the school and spend their entire second working income (the wife's typically) on school fees.

The proportion of black Bahamian students at St Andrew's is rising rapidly and would surprise you if you visited.

St Andrew's is discriminated against in so many ways already but does not choose to highlight these issues.

Much good community service work is carried out by St Andrew's students that most people dont know about....they do not trumpet their efforts.

Y'all please do not speak out of ignorance. Alfred Sears has every right to visit this school once in a while..if the media be present then so what!

how coincidental that the F average comes out when were having this discussion...
my main thing is that private institutions are funded by parents that send their kids there and are also independent of direct government control. yes no man is an island but if we had to call a name in this day and age his name comes to mind and and it will be his legacy who is held responsible when history dictates how the education system became so frig up. It didnt start with him but the straw broke the camels back on his watch.
maybe I havent been paying that much attention to his day to day activity but what I do know is that he is failing miserably at both portfolios and Im sure there is more than one reason why.Stop saying Christie gave him both portfolios like he didnt ask for it or he didnt have a choice in accepting it there are a few minsiters without a portfolio- ego plays into the mix,somewhere he thought he could do and now we see that he cant- but whenever you try to do everything you end up doing nothing.
he couldnt even ensure a clean and safe environment let alone a learning haven. Education beats it and this should be the objective all across the board. In this day and age I cant see how the ministry keeps getting it wrong. We are small enough to ensure all our kids a shot at a college education. Or maybe it has something to do with the bedmaking economics who knows. But what I do know is that If there is a disconnect in the ministry I encourage him to have management sessions and workshops that are effective in redefining their purpose. It een that easy but it sure as hell een that hard either- if heads have to roll so be it- if people arent performing fire they arse! get rid of them and get people in the mix who know how to do the job. These people are failing Bahamian children with this foolishness going on they are clipping wings essential for Bahamian children to fly. They are retarding growth killing dreams and failing Bahamian children and if you cant see that education is related to social order and how that in turn affects how the necks you believe in snapping through capitol punishment you would not cut any of these niggers any slack or understand why he is fuking up the future of this nation- our children!
Or maybe it has something to do with the haves are trying to keep the havenots without? maybe we have to create a law somewhere that requires all public officials send their kids to public school. Maybe then taxpayer funded Education Ministry on the backs of hardworking Bahamians can be of good use.
Growing up I didnt go without I had everything- maybe that's why im spoiled now. I went to school on the outisland before we moved to the states. no personal issues here. my uncle went to that school and my family is has a few pennies so if that’s your bent... my kids are going too public school- when I have them- save that money for college.




HMMMM i thought that i was the only one who saw how important education is to the country, seems like tafahali is begining to see as well, hmmmmm

I say a fine or nuter program is inorder.

I wonder how Bahamians feel about Bahamians who werent schooled in the Bahamian system (like me) and see defiencies for what they really are.
Maybe I did come off a little strong against Sears- but he knows better he lived in NYC all those years and observed how it was operated (this is where my bias is) and then he comes home to half arse the ministry and his apologist make excuses for him like the man sucks his dic for a living, but I digress.I know yb is coming after me but who gives a sh!t let him come. The NY case study is one we should look at- what and what not to do. it's not the best- far from it but the concepulisation of it is outstanding they have different kinds of schools- we dont even have a marine science academy and that's what most of our resources lie in... I could go on and on. The naysayers and pessimist will come with "we dont have the money" double speak but fuc them we have to spend the money its a national disgrace for the education system to continue to fail its children. clipping wings...My mother's "2 lil people" her Irish twins dont deserve that and neither does any Bahamian kids.
The irony for me is that the superintendent of that school system then (rudy crew) came out of retirement to help s. florida schools (which I am a product of)



LOL mental sparing with yorick Brown thats a laugh, he/she is to dogmatic to spar with.

I like this post in that this is the vein of some one who has read tony martin work. By the way i dont have to google martin name as it was required reading in african centered circles, besides if you had seen my list of required reading for national culture you would know.

I say fine or nuter the parents.

Alfred Sears. I have absolutely no more faith and confidence in him.

The Reason
Recall the days before the PLP came to power Mr. Sears was up and down all over the place advocating the cause of many Bahamians who were at odds with the government. He was a human rights advocate opposing the death penalty. He was a reliable advocate supporting displaced workers and on every issue he was a voice of moral reasoning.

Now he is part of the decision makers and you can hardly hear from him. Alfred Sears is morally corrupt. All of the ministries that he is in charge of are suffering, the sad part of it, is that he holds one of the most important, that of educating our nation's future.

What Say You?

finally he says what some of us have been saying all along FINALLY! (http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/308298535664922.php)

finally he says what some of us have been saying all along FINALLY! (http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/308298535664922.php)

While there are no one or easy solution to the failing education system; Sears and the PLP have not help it one bit. For four years the PLP and Alfred Sears has done a grave disserve to our future.

As smart as many people claim that Mr sears is,he was not smart enough to ask The Prime Mnister to divest him of of one of his porfolio for four long years, so that he can give his best effort to the Bahamian people.

One of the big problem to effective learning is the large class size. It is criminal that the goverment have not added one new school in four years to reduce the class size! In fact Mr Sears and the PLP have done verry little maintenance to schools.

Thus, the teachers and students literally have to be careful that the crumbling buildings dont fall on them! We need to stop coddling mediocrity and call a spade a spade. Mr Sears sucks!

now I am offended. it doesnt matter if rood got more publicity he didnt have to do go into Bahamian schools and read to our children- that says alot about this man. My big thing is sears should have went into a public school before a private school like st. andrews because he serves the in the interest of the PUBLIC not PRIVATE sector- st. andrews is one of if not the most expensive private school in this nation- why did he go there why did he not go to the public schools that he have direct control over why now? what has changed all of a sudden? Did you see that picture- those children was not the face of who is at risk and at a disadvantage in the Bahamas sweet boy- this is why we shouldnt cut him or any one of them any slack! they are helping kids who dont really need the extra help. If he got a bum deal with two ministres why did he take both of um- if he couldnt handle it? Does ego have anything to do with it? too little too late and thei is no excuse good enough. yeah better stop throwing yall weight around everything without thinking it through :tdown:

He went to read to Bahamian students no matter what school they attend.

He went to read to Bahamian students no matter what school they attend.

that the same like saying rod paige would go reading to exeter or andover students in the US...you know that right?

I agree with your other points and this one is mostly correct also. St. Andrew's however does not receive any government subsidy. Why Min. Sears chose there is perplexing ...
Still, however they got started, it's

Private, government school, subsidide or not. These are the children that will be in charge of this country one day. So even if its private or not, when these children come out of school it doesn't matter. What does matter is that they are the Bahamas future. I noticed that Sears is apeaking to both those in the private and public schools, it isn't like he he's only checking for the private half of the coin.