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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
Nassau, The Bahamas – Thirty seven public school administrators graduated from the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), a program me sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology through a partnership with the College of The Bahamas. The 12-month course included studies on leadership, the school environment, curriculum development, school finance, research and evaluation, community relations and issues and trends in education. Representing schools in New Providence and the Family Islands, the administrators received certificates and pins for successfully completing the certification course during a ceremony at British Colonial Hilton on May 22. Nicole Campbell, permanent secretary and senior government officials attended the event. Music was provided by the Government High School Band and Claudine Deligence, Treasure Wilson and Eltavious Johnson of Thelma Gibson Primary School. Lionel Sands, director of education, commended the graduates for believing that the growth of the nation’s educational system requires “effective” and “efficient” leaders who are willing to adapt their priorities to meet the demands of today. He told the administrators that the pins they received represent their willingness to grow in their vocation. “Our schools are filled with students who have various learning abilities and who come from varied backgrounds, therefore you must be capable of managing learning academies within your classrooms. Each academy must serve the needs of your students. “As the head teacher on your campus, you must work with your teachers for the good of the school; listen and wherever it is practical; take their advice, embrace their ideas and give them credit for it. Leadership can be rewarding when you are member of a team; it can also be frustrating if you go at it alone,” said Mr. Sands.
He announced that under the present arrangement the 37 administrators comprise the last cohort of students who will participate in the IEL programme. In the future, IEL will be included in the offerings of the Professional Development Institute, a training centre for all educational stakeholders located at the former Mabel Walker Primary School. Mr. Sands assured the administrators that the Ministry does not plan to retire IEL because it is necessary for the development of schools. “The Minister is of the view that any teacher seeking upwardly mobility in the administrative path must do IEL prior to applying for a position. That way, “the cart will not be before the horse,” as we say in The Bahamas,” he said. The IEL programme was implemented in 2007 under Alfred Sears, a former Minister of Education. To date 348 administrators have participated in the Institute.
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