By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 28, 2023 – I absolutely had to share this video with readers of my online publication, BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.
Meet Ms. Bethel, a 4th-grade teacher at Holmes Rock Primary School, sharing the early impact of the National School Breakfast Pilot Programme:
https://www.facebook.com/opmbs/videos/1292116628133717/
It’s been observed that since the program’s implementation on the island, there has been improved punctuality and a sense of gratitude from parents as the breakfast burden is relieved.
Ms. Bethel notes that knowing the pilot programme is a priority of the Prime Minister is heartwarming, demonstrating genuine care for parents and students in these global economic times.
Let’s celebrate these positive changes already making a real difference in our schools! 🎉
The Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training initiated groundbreaking project to provide breakfast to approximately 2,500 primary school students. This pilot programme, which commenced in October, represents a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and the Office of the Prime Minister.
The pilot phase was implemented in selected schools across New Providence and the Family islands. The participating schools are Columbus Primary, Ridgeland Primary, Sandilands Primary, Albury Sales Primary in New Providence, Rolleville Primary in Exuma, Holmes Rock Primary in Grand Bahama, Cherokee Sound Primary in Abaco, and Old Bight Primary in Cat Island.
PROGRAMME DETAILS AND AIM
The programme is projected to cost around $1 million and is planned to run for the next academic year. Unlike the existing lunch programme, which caters to select students, the breakfast programme aims to provide meals to all students in the participating schools. These meals, designed to be hot and nutritionally balanced, are available three days a week: Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. These days were chosen based on the assumption that many families may struggle to provide food over the weekend.
THE SELECTION CRITERIA AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The pilot programme intends to assess the effectiveness of the initiative. Schools were selected based on potential student challenges. The criteria included schools with a population below 600 and with attendance rates less than 89.2 percent in primary schools. Research has indicated that breakfast programmes can support struggling families, enhance student health and learning, provide nutritional support for children, lead to improved attendance rates, and result in fewer missed days and higher student performance.
GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS AND FUTURE PLANS
The Government is committed to ensuring that children have access to food while in school, promoting regular attendance, and providing quality instruction for human development. The success of the pilot will guide decisions about the potential expansion of the programme. There is a strong belief that the programme has the potential to significantly impact learning, student attendance, and quality outcomes for children and young people.
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