The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE government is seeking to reintroduce bonded scholarships that would require recipients to return to The Bahamas after studying abroad and work for the government or another designated agency, Education Minister Chester Cooper revealed yesterday.

Mr Cooper said the proposal was discussed by the National Scholarship Advisory Committee as the government announced the recipients of its 2026 merit scholarships and disclosed that its annual scholarship budget stands at about $14m.

He said roughly 500 new scholarships worth about $5m were approved this year, alongside continuing awards from previous years.

Mr Cooper recalled receiving a bonded scholarship himself, which required him to return to The Bahamas and work for the government or an approved agency for as many years as he had studied overseas.

“We are seeking to reintroduce this,” he said, “and we hope that we will be able to work out whatever kinks there exists to ensure that this is a smooth reintroduction of a programme that we believe is important for the development of our country.”

Mr Cooper later stressed that the bonding system remains under consideration and said the government would make an announcement “in due course”.

His comments came as 17-year-old Jayden Sands and 18-year-old Gary Neilly were named winner and runner-up respectively of the 2026 All Bahamas Merit Scholarship, alongside 27 National Merit Scholarship recipients.

Mr Sands will receive $35,000 annually for four years, while Mr Neilly will receive $25,000 annually. National Merit Scholarship recipients will receive $20,000 annually.

A total of 29 students competed for the All Bahamas Merit Scholarship.

The minimum academic criteria included eight A grades in the BGCSE examinations, an SAT score of at least 1,220 and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75.

Applicants were also assessed on extracurricular activities, community service, nation-building, their ability to articulate themselves and whether they were well-rounded.

Mr Sands, a graduate of St Augustine’s College who is studying accounting and finance at St John’s University in Minnesota, said the award came as a surprise.

“I know that there were many other well-established and intelligent applicants who were also going for the scholarship,” he said, “and the fact that I was the one who would end up being awarded, I was really appreciative.”

Mr Sands thanked God, the scholarship board, his teachers, family and friends.

“I can assure you all that I will continue to work hard,” he said. “I will keep education as my top priority, and I will achieve great things. Hopefully contribute back to the development of The Bahamas after I graduate.”

Mr Neilly, a recent Queen’s College graduate, is studying at the University of The Bahamas after plans to begin his studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, were deferred.

National Scholarship Advisory Committee chairman Robyn Lynes said the competition among the top applicants was extremely close.

“The 29 students that were competing for this award were a caliber that is second to none, only to other students who've been in this category,” Ms Lynes said. “A lot of these students, year after year, the margin is fractions of a point, maybe one or two points.”

Mr Cooper highlighted that both the winner and runner-up were young men, while Ms Lynes said the student who placed third was also male.

Addressing the recipients, Mr Cooper described them as “the next generation of Bahamian leaders, thinkers, innovators, and professionals” and urged those studying abroad to return home.

“I ask that you approach this opportunity with purpose,” he said, “excel in your chosen fields, broaden your perspectives, challenge yourselves, and wherever your studies take you.”

“Never lose sight of the country that is investing in you and looking forward to your contribution on your return.”

Mr Cooper also said changes are being considered to simplify the scholarship application process and make it more transparent.

“We recognise that the scholarship application process can be further refined,” he said. “We discussed today at our board meeting some of the ideas that we will undertake to streamline the process and improve the experience for applicants, ensuring greater transparency at every stage.”

He said applying for scholarships should not be “unnecessarily complicated or frustrating”.

Mr Cooper said the objective is to make the process easier to navigate, more efficient, transparent and accessible while maintaining the standards and accountability expected of programmes funded by taxpayers.

He also said the ministry is pursuing new partnerships and memoranda of understanding with overseas universities to expand opportunities for Bahamians.

The ministry, working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also plans to enlist scholarship ambassadors abroad to identify opportunities outside traditional destinations such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

“For example, we are speaking with a potential Bahamian ambassador in the Middle East to explore partnerships there,” Mr Cooper said, “as we do likewise in Central and South America.”