BAHAMAS EDUCATION SYSTEM

National Statistics

There are more than 200 schools in The Bahamas of which approximately 75% are fully administered by the public service. The vast majority of schools are found in the Family Islands, with the Government operating a greater percentage (87%). The total student population is in excess of 65,000 individuals. The total student population in the public school system is approximately 50,332 that are serviced by some 3,184 teachers. The ratio of teacher to student is 1 teacher for every 16 students. The BSCA's education and outreach programme seeks to sensitize, educate, reinforce and generate interest in all schools including administrators, faculty staff as well as students on the importance in protecting and preserving the marine environment as well as pursuing a career and or participating in marine conservation and marine-related efforts in The Bahamas.

School Curriculum

School subjects are placed under three general headings including academic, business-related and vocational. More notable subjects under major groupings are indicated below:

Academic

Biology Chemistry Physics Combined Science

Vocational

Electrical Installation Auto Mechanics

After-School Programmes

The public school system has after-school programmes that emphasize healthy educational experiences for all students. The overall objective of the programmes is to develop and implement activities that increase access to a broader range of educational, cultural, recreational and character building. Some of the areas the programme focuses include the following:

• Youth Leadership (clubs)
• Volunteer & Community Service
• Arts/Culture Enrichment
• Computer InstructionlTechnology literacy

In a 2004 report on the Bahamas General Certificate for Secondary Education (BGCSE) it revealed that the national grade average was a 'D'. It was pointed out that the national average grade would have been worse had it not been for private schools and some public high schools in the Family Islands.

The Bahamas Sportfishing & Conservation Association (BSCA) recognizes that it can play a significant role in the development of Bahamian children that would add to the overall development of the educational system in The Bahamas.

CONSERVATION CLUBS

BSCA will introduce Conservation Clubs in targeted high schools throughout The Bahamas for the purpose of assisting in achieving its goal of increasing public sensitivity to protecting the marine environment of The Bahamas.

 Goals & Objectives

BSCA's Conservation Clubs or CCs are designed to assist in the long-term development of Bahamian youth as follows:

• Make youth aware of the existence of certain natural resources,
• Show Bahamian students the connection between the environment & academics,
• Encourage the youth to learn more about their immediate surroundings,
• Reducate students on the affect of Bahamian culture on our marine environment,
• Provide alternative forms of learning that would improve national performance levels,
• Expand the field of opportuntities for students searching for meaningful careers, and
• Provide a legacy for other students seeking the path to better living

At the end of each year, the BSCA expects to develop sufficient interest among its student population that significant numbers of participants will go on to do one of the following:

• Seek further education in marine environment sciences at some institution of higher learning,
• Seek a career as a professional in the marine sciences, and
• Give back to the local community by sharing what they have learned to other deserving and needy students.

Types of Programmes

CCs will engage on one or a combination of the following activities:

• Lecture series that introduces students to the concepts and value of conservation in The Bahamas,
• Science projects that show how science could be used to reduce stresses on the environment,
• Field trips to discover other life species that exist in and around communities'
• Publication of information that would provide a record of divergent specie, and
• Documentary film on the series of events experienced and lessons learned during the course of the programme

 Administration

CCs will be run by science schoolteachers in the various schools selected.  All activity will be coordinated by the Executive Director of the BSCA.