Eligible employees may be granted unpaid study leave, a pre-approved unpaid absence from work, to be used for study reasons. Leave for study purposes will be arranged with due regard for operating needs of the department and to accommodate the convenience of the employee.

When an officer takes or is given unpaid study leave, his/her position is still retained as well as other benefits, however the officer receives no salary during this period.

Any public officer who has completed one year of service and has had his/her appointment confirmed, is entitled to unpaid study leave.  

Special consideration may still be given to officers who do not meet the requirements.

1. The officer must submit a letter of request and supporting documents (if necessary) to immediate supervisor.
2. The supervisor will forward the letter of request to the Human Resource section, who in turn submits the request to the Permanent Secretary / Head of Department for approval.
3. Unpaid Study Leave may be rejected at this stage based on the needs of the agency at the time.
4. Once approved by the PS, the HR section must then make a recommendation to the Department of Public Service.
5. The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service must approve the request, which is then returned to the agency who will advise the officer accordingly.

No application form is necessary for unpaid leave.  However, the Department of Public Service advises that the letter of request should include as much pertinent information as possible, in support of the request.

• Letter of Request
• Documentation supporting your case

Not Applicable

The Department of Public Service
Poinciana Hill Complex
Meeting Street
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel.  (242) 502-7200
Fax. (242) 326-6929
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays