Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Hon. Chester Cooper stressed his ministry’s amplified focus on special education while touring a number of school campuses on Grand Bahama on August 10, 2026.
The visit was part of a view of campuses on the Family Islands to get a first-hand look of the state of readiness of schools ahead of the start of 2026/2027 academic year.
Minister Cooper was accompanied by Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, as well as education and senior government officials as they visited Bartlett Hill Primary and Holmes Rock Junior High in West Grand Bahama, Jack Hayward High in Central Grand Bahama and McLean’s Town Primary in the eastern end of the island to assess repairs and progress of work underway.
As the ministry throws its resources behind addressing special education beginning September, he noted that with thousands of students throughout the country still awaiting assessment following referrals by their teachers or principals, his ministry is taking steps to ensure that all of the assessments are completed.
Cognizant of the roughly 53 youngsters on the waiting list for The Beacon School on Grand Bahama, the minister said his ministry has moved to have the issue addressed immediately.
“We sought to refurbish and designate rooms at the Bartlett Hill (Primary) School, as well as the Holmes Rock Junior High School, to ensure that we build capacity to ensure that every child needing special education has the opportunity to receive the education they deserve,” he said.
“It’s about inclusion, it’s about dignity. It’s about ensuring that every child has an opportunity to improve their lot in life, contribute to society and live their best life possible.”
The Ministry of Education also plans to provide additional specialized training in the classroom for Special Education teachers, speech pathology and applied behavioral analysis used to assist individuals with autism.
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