A STANDARDISED national high school diploma will be introduced in the public education system for the first time by June 2016.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald said the new national diploma will establish achievement benchmarks in academic and applied sciences, social development and future careers.
"It will encourage students to attain at least the minimum standards for education, provide students with a credential that provides meaningful information to a prospective employer or for college entrance, and recognise students' personal achievements," said Minister Fitzgerald in his contribution to the 2012-2013 Budget Debate.
He explained that some schools presently offer attendance certificates or diplomas that are attached to the individual school, but which do not have enough currency to be used as part of a student's official record of achievement.
"The recipient of the national high school diploma will have to satisfy a set of criteria which will ensure that no student who has not attained a minimum of a ninth grade education will be eligible for the award of the diploma," Mr Fitzgerald said.
Funding has been allocated in the present budget to commence necessary preparations, he said.
The Bahamas General Education Diploma (GED), another initiative by the government, is being introduced for students who were unable to complete high school for various reasons.
It is expected to allow students who have not had an opportunity to complete high school, to complete and receive a GED, equivalent to the national high school diploma.
Consideration will be given to the experiences that the student may have gained through internships and work experience, along with a specific set of criteria, Mr Fitzgerald said.
The Department of Education has been mandated to reopen evening institutes to allow adult students to pursue academic courses which will increase their eligibility for the award of the GED.
Four institutes are expected to open in New Providence before October 2013 and one in each of the Family Islands.
Comments
really 11 years, 10 months ago
ok thats good now fix them bgcse's I've known honor roll students who fail them get it together grading system is a mess cheapest yall trash that n go back to gcse cuz look like yal cant get it together...and do something with COB why people have to be there 7 years to get a bachelors degree?
MartGM 11 years, 10 months ago
I await a document with the criteria for this diploma. Good job with the evening classes!! You're off to a commendable start. I hope this continues throughout your five year tenure.
concernedcitizen 11 years, 10 months ago
A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ,FOR A NINTH GRADE EDUCATION ????,,SO MANY ARE GRADUATING W/ JUST AN ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE ,THAT WE WILL DROP THE STANDARDS ....AND WHAT THE HELL IS AN ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE ,CHILDREN THAT WERE LESS INCLINED FOR STUDIES USED TO BE FUNNELLED INTO THE TRADES ,,,9TH GRADE TO ME USED TO BE THE END OF JR HIGH ,,KEEP ALL THE SINGLE MOM VOTERS HAPPY ,DON,T TELL THEM THEY DON,T WANT TO LEARN AND WE CAN,T TEACH THEM ,JUST DROP THE STANDARDS AND GIVE THEM SOME PAPER
tiredofhypocrisy 11 years, 10 months ago
What's wrong with BGCSE standards? If your Honor Roll student didn't pass them they probably didn't study enough, the standards of the BGCSE has already dropped since the early 90's and you are suggesting lowering standards again????? How is this standardised highschool diploma different from what we already have? To get a regular one shouldn't you show a certain level of attendance and have passed required examinations? I too would like to know what this "new and improved" diploma entails.
really 11 years, 10 months ago
if nothing was wrong with BGCSE everybody wouldnt fail them!!! something wrong!!! they word them questions so difficult you dont even know what kind of answer they want from you using ambiguous words confusing people!! It's not that you dont know the material you dont know what they asking you! Many people have told me their experience was the same!
notsogullible 11 years, 10 months ago
Nothing is wrong with the BGCSE and NOT EVERYONE fails them. The problem is too many our students cannot read and PARENTS DON'T CARE. Too many parents cloak their children and depend on handouts. Everytime their kid is punished in school, gets into trouble, doesn't get an award (which he didn't work for in the first place) they expect to go running to some politician to give their kid what he doesn't deserve.
concernedcitizen 11 years, 10 months ago
SOCIAL PROMOTION HAS RUINED US , WE ARE HEADING INTO OUR THIRD GENERATION THAT CAN,T READ ,,I HAD A GIRLFRIEND THAT TAUGHT AT C R WALKER , SHE TOLD ME ONLY A QUATER OF THE CHILDREN COULD READ AND THE MAJORITY OF THEM WERE HATIAN BAHAMIAN ,,SAD
Bril 11 years, 10 months ago
This is a good initiative and if people would think about it before jumping to conclusions then they would see where it could be beneficial. A standard requirement would even the playing field so to speak. There is no measuring stick to assess each school and the BGCSE we know has done a poor job of providing that assessment. The reason being, because some schools allow their students to take only some of the BGCSE exams. In other words some take only English papers or Art without having to take Math. The child still graduates even not having taken the Math. Having a government standard removes the autonomy of schools to decide who takes what. As far as I'm concerned the schools have failed us. These new age principals have for the past 15 years or so just been putting out under performing students and seem to be comfortable with it. I say do it. It doesn't take the place of the BGCSE but it ensures that students are fulfilling the necessary requirements inclusive of the BGCSE. Personally I believe several hours of community service should be a requirement to graduate. Perhaps even some required hours of work apprenticeship. Let us stop tearing things down and start to see how things can work for our little country.
positiveinput 11 years, 10 months ago
Could not have said it better.
concernedcitizen 11 years, 10 months ago
your right about all the schools being standardize ,however i once had to take a course for a licsense i,ve had since i was twenty and it used to be very hard ,,the new course and test was a joke ,,the passing grade was 70 and you got 30% just for taking the course ,,that means you only had to get 40% to pass ,,i don,t know about you but i don,t want to be on a boat miles from shore where the captain only has to know 40% of the knowledge
MartGM 11 years, 10 months ago
For the most part, most Private schools have a requirement of atleast 20 hrs community service in order to graduate. Not to sure about the Government school requirements.
My only concern with this Diploma is that the criteria won't be anything to talk about. I don't want to get too excited knowing that the education system in the Bahamas continues to fail students time and time again. I'll feel more at ease when I see the criteria for this Diploma. This initiative was started in June 2012, I pray we don't hear about it again in April 2017!
Mr. Fritzgerald is doing a commendable job and his goals are very realistic. It's only the beginning...let see where he goes from here!
242 11 years, 10 months ago
You aint gotta wait that long it will be ready by June of 2016, states the article...which is preeeetty close to '17. Which kind of makes sense..... this group that are already in 10th 11th and 12th grade wouldn't be able to properly prepare for whatever criteria will be made for the diploma and if they plan to change the BGCSE. So the current 7th and 8th graders will be the one's to see it first. Hopefully the BGED will be available sooner. It is good to see someone with a yellow necktie talking about issues and showing his vision and not complaining about the past . Now all we need are details.
notsogullible 11 years, 10 months ago
Government schools = 40 hours and so do most private schools (40 hours)
sheeprunner12 11 years, 9 months ago
This HS diploma talk isnt new. FYI the public schools had set criteria for issuing high school diplomas for FOUR years now!!!!!!!!! Whether the principals follow it or not is another story.
These are some of the criteria as I recall: 1. minimum CGPA grades 10-12 of 2.00 2. 40 hours of community service 3. 90% attendance 4. minimum of 4 BJC passes 5. sign up for minimum 4 BGCSE etc..........................
The Department has to monitor what is going on in the schools not just rely on the Minister making press conferences and expecting that all will be well.
As for a GED, thats a good idea, once adults have some incentive to go back and get certified by their employers etc. Teachers should be certified as adult educators as well, because teaching adults is not the same as teaching children.
TheFixer 11 years, 3 months ago
I believe that standardised high school diploma is a very good idea. That way it will be much easier for graduates to get to http://www.offtocollege.com/offtocoll...">Work in an In-Demand Field.
nicolae 11 years, 2 months ago
It`s a great initiative. I think that it is great that it gives you the possibility to work after graduation. I did get a job while I was on college. It was difficult at the begining but I had good friends who gave me great tips of http://mixedinterest.com/blog/4-effec...">good time management
sheeprunner12 9 years, 11 months ago
Soooooooooooooooo, yall know anymore in 2014 about the Fitzgerald "new and improved" high school diploma since last year?????????????????????
Yall children gonna start the programme in September this year!!!!!!!!!!!
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