The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin says data show that early learning improves long-term student outcomes as she explained the decision to lower the compulsory school age from five to four during debate on key education reform legislation yesterday.

Her comments came as MPs passed the Education Bill 2026 alongside the Early Childhood Care Commission Bill 2026 and the National Youth Commission Bill 2026, pieces of legislation described as the most comprehensive review of the country’s education policy and administrative framework in decades.

The bills seek to formally regulate home schooling, impose mandatory accreditation on private schools, tighten financial oversight of public schools and introduce a national curriculum with measurable learning outcomes. It would also provide for the oversight and regulation of daycare centres and preschools.

A key provision of the bill lowers the compulsory school age from five to four.

Mrs Hanna-Martin said the move recognises what educators, parents and researchers have long known — that the early years are critical.

She said learning gaps formed early are difficult to reverse, while early investment delivers lifelong benefits by making pre-primary education compulsory.

“Research studies indicate that 80 to 90 percent of brain development occurs before the age of five,” she told Parliament. “High-quality early childhood education, therefore, plays a vital role in supporting this key developmental stage.”

“When children have access to structured, nurturing and stimulating early learning environments, they experience significant benefits. These include improved literacy and numeracy skills, better social behavior and greater readiness for formal schools.”

Under the new law, compulsory school age would begin at four and continue until 16, unless a student meets graduation requirements earlier.

The bill also affirms the right to free education in public schools at public expense. However, it specifies that free education is limited to the waiver of tuition fees and does not cover ancillary costs.

Yesterday, Mrs Hanna Martin announced the government’s intention to amend this provision, bringing it in line with 1962 legislation that addresses “the provision of materials as resources permit.”

“This legislation raises up education to the highest pinnacle in our quest for human advance, undergirded by progressive policy and a targeted administrative regime to procure desired outcomes for the Bahamian child,” she added.

She said it is both a legal and moral declaration that every child, regardless of background, ability, location or circumstance, is entitled to an education, adding that the legislation enshrines this right.

Among other things, home-schooling would also become regulated under the legislation for the first time.

Parents who choose to educate their children at home would be required to meet prescribed standards, follow approved requirements and submit to monitoring.

“This framework protects children's rights on education, supports parents through clarity rather than uncertainty, brings home education into the national education family,” Mrs Hanna-Martin said.

“This is about partnership, not punishment, and about ensuring every child's education counts.”

The Early Childhood Care Commission Bill 2026 establishes a body to oversee the management of daycare centres and preschools, ensuring compliance with national standards while setting out strict penalties for non-compliance.

The National Youth Commission will function as a modern agency to coordinate and monitor youth development programmes across government and non-governmental organisations.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard expressed support for the bills but criticised what he described as a lack of consultation with stakeholders, a point disputed by Minister Hanna-Martin.

He cautioned policymakers to be mindful of how they present their record programmes aimed at addressing youth challenges, saying one of the most pressing issues remains youth unemployment.

“We have to do a better job in linking the training to meeting the demands that are young people have which is they want a fair shot at opportunities so they are able to support their families. We do not believe that this administration has done sufficient work to meet the practical needs of young people who today is facing a 21 per cent unemployment rate,” he added.