Education in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is the principal vehicle for promoting the development of individuals, and the Nation as a whole. It is essential to enhancing the quality of life of our people.
It reflects our Nation's ideals, values, beliefs and customs. It affirms that all human beings have an undeniable right to an education, one that will enable them to understand their privileges and responsibilities in the community.
Its specific focus is to prepare youth to become active citizens who will become a caring and compassionate people, and who, as life-long learners, will continue to improve the quality of life for themselves and others.
The Bahamas has an education system that is comparable those of many Western and developed States. Education is compulsory between the ages of 5 to 16, with school attendance rates at above 90% and adult literacy above 95%.
Education in The Bahamas is operated by both the Government and private sector, with the Government operating 161 of the 206 Primary and High Schools, and the other 45 being privately owned and operated. The primary level covers Pre-School and grades one to six (1 - 6), after which pupils transfer to the Junior High level (grades 7 - 9) and then to Senior High (grades 10 - 12). These levels are fairly distinct in Department of Education schools in New Providence with slight variations in Family Island schools, where some All-Age schools remain.
College of The Bahamas
In 1974, The College of The Bahamas was created through the amalgamation of four institutions: The Bahamas Teachers' College, San Salvador Teachers' College, C. R. Walker Technical College and the sixth form programme of The Government High School. In June 1995, landmark legislation was passed granting The College full autonomy of its affairs and an expanded mandate, establishing a new era.
Today, the College offers nearly forty majors in its bachelor degree offerings and more than twenty at the associate degree level. In the Fall 2010 Semester The College launched its first graduate degree programme, a Master of Business Administration. Currently the College has 5,000 enrolled students, with alumni numbering nearly 11,000.