Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technology the Hon. Chester Cooper said no country can build a strong economy, a competitive workforce, or cohesive communities without first building a strong education system.
“I think we all agree that it is the foundation. The reality is that teacher shortages are not unique to The Bahamas,” the DPM said during a press conference to announce the Government’s efforts to attract more Bahamian teachers at the Mabel Walker Professional Development Institute on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
He said, “Countries with far larger populations and far greater financial resources than ours are facing exactly the same challenge. Across North America, Europe and throughout the Caribbean, governments are competing for qualified teachers because fewer people are entering the profession while experienced teachers are leaving it.”
The DPM explained that this is the global reality and allowing classrooms to remain without qualified teachers while waiting for perfect conditions would constitute a failure of leadership.
“We refuse to allow that to happen. This initiative is one part of a much broader national strategy to strengthen education. We anticipate rolling out our revised strategic plan in due course, which will expand on the medium- and long-term initiatives to strengthen and improve recruitment and retention.”
The DPM said there is no single solution. There are 162 public schools spread across 24 islands and a total population in the 40,000 range. There are thousands of teachers, but the country has a shortage of about 300 teachers.
He noted that the Ministry will continue engaging every stakeholder throughout the process of recruiting new teachers. “We welcome constructive dialogue. We value partnership. We respect differing views. But while consultation will continue, this initiative will also continue.”
The DPM said that the effort to recruit Bahamian teachers continues every single day.
“To every qualified Bahamian who has ever considered becoming a teacher, we need you. Your country needs you. If you have recently graduated, we encourage you to consider the classroom.
“If you are a retired educator with the passion to return, we welcome you. If you are a trained teacher but have left and built expertise in another profession and are now prepared to share that knowledge with the next generation, there is a place for you in our schools.”
He invited Bahamians to join the Ministry’s Teacher Reservist Program (which uses the platform of its Supply Teacher Program).
The DPM said, “If, after exhausting every reasonable effort, vacancies remain – particularly in specialist subjects and in our Family Islands – we have a duty to ensure that those classrooms are not left without teachers.”
He said, “That means responsibly recruiting qualified educators from abroad where necessary. This is not about replacing Bahamian teachers.
“It is about ensuring Bahamian children have teachers. Every international recruit will be required to satisfy our standards. Qualifications will be verified. Professional credentials will be assessed. Vetting will be completed. Equivalency requirements will be met.”
The DPM highlighted what the Ministry is doing in regards to recruiting:
· Robust local recruitment
· International recruitment
· Teacher Reserve (Supply Teacher) Program
· Work strategically with stakeholders including Bahamas Educators, Counsellors, and Allied Workers Union and the Bahamas Union of Teachers to effectively complete and implement Industrial Agreement and
· To establish a Teacher HR Helpdesk and focused project team to resolve any specific legacy issues.
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