FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – The Caribbean Development Bank mission team paid a courtesy call on Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey on Friday, September 30, 2022 before getting a tour of the schools in East Grand Bahama and visiting the proposed site for a new comprehensive school for that area.

Minister Moxey welcomed the group — Senior Operations Officer of Education and Project Coordinator Dr. Martin Baptiste, Operations Officer and Social Analyst Elbert Ellis, Operations officer and Engineer Antonia Hart and Education Specialist Paul Murphy — to the island on what was their second visit this year.

Following the meeting, Chief Councilor for East Grand Bahama Marcus Cooper led the team, along with representatives from the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, Ministry of Public Works and Utilities and the Ministry for Grand Bahama on a site visit of the Preschool in Freetown, the Primary School in High Rock and the Junior High School in McLean’s Town — all of which were damaged by Hurricane Dorian three years ago.

The delegation also viewed the proposed location for the Ministry of Education’s new Comprehensive School Complex in East Grand Bahama that will house a preschool, primary, junior and high school.

Ivan Butler, District Superintendent for Grand Bahama, Bimini and the Cays, said he is optimistic the project will get underway soon and pointed out that it will not only be favorable for the students, but the entire community of East Grand Bahama as it will also serve as a community centre and hurricane shelter.

Chief Councillor Cooper expressed excitement about the project, noting that it brings hope back to the residents of the communities and will also mean that the children will no longer have to make the daily commute from East End into the city to obtain an education.

COURESY CALL - The Caribbean Development Bank mission team paid a courtesy call on Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey on Friday, September 30, 2022. From left are Education Specialist Paul Murphy; Engineer Antonia Hart; Senior Operations Officer of Education and Project Coordinator Dr. Martin Baptiste; Minister Moxey; Permanent Secretary Melvin Seymour and Operations Officer and Social Analyst Elbert Ellis.

SITE VISIT – Members of the Caribbean Development Bank mission team visited the proposed site for the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training’s new Comprehensive School for that area on Friday, September 30, 2022. They were also given a tour of the schools in East Grand Bahama.

  (BIS PHOTO/LISA DAVIS)