NASSAU, The Bahamas – In its quest to continue to achieve the goal of universal pre-primary school education, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has signed contracts with over 80 private pre-school providers.

The official signing ceremony was held Wednesday, August 28th, 2019 at the Ministry of Education/Youth Conference Room, University Drive.

Forty-four providers accepted the offer of public-private partnership and entered into contracts with the Early Childhood Education Section of the Department of Education when the initiative was launched in November 2018.

The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, expressed his gratitude to the providers for agreeing to partner with the Government and the MOE in advancing “critical” development in the country’s history.

“You had to qualify yourselves and that’s a note that is worthy of praise,” said Minister Lloyd.

“You’re not just someone that loves children as necessary as that is. Because of what we’re doing, because of how important, because of the nature of your clientele, our babies, their parents and families we need the best, most favorably equipped professionals. Those who are seized of the scientific knowledge and understanding of how to train our babies. Training 3-year olds is not the same as training 9-year olds, is not the same as training 17-year-olds.

“There is a particular and peculiar set of skills that must be verified and authenticated by the established regulatory bodies, universities and pre-primary council before we unleash on the educational terrain of our young people.”

Minister Lloyd said he looked forward to a fruitful, beneficial, and in some instances profitable relationship going forward.

Agatha Archer, Chairperson, Pre-school and Daycare Centre Council, presented the approval process for private pre-school partnerships. She urged the providers to ensure that they give the students quality care and maintain high standards.

The ceremony was attended by officials of the MOE including Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Marcellus Taylor, Director. Participants included Leja Burrows, Senior Education Officer and Ellen Rhodriquez, Senior Education Officer.