BLUEPRINT FOR GOVERNANCE
BCP MANDATE 2022
Official Launch - April 7th 2021
BCP MANDATE 2022
Official Launch - April 7th 2021
Open Link to the 94-Page Flipbook
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2f7a4c9866.html
WELCOME TO THE FUTURE!
National Identity
Most Bahamians do not conceptualize that none of us are indigenous to the Bahamas. We are a conglomerate of African, Haitian, Jamaican, Turks Islanders and British people, educated by the British, serving a predominately American Clientele. We must first know who we are, where we came from and what is the best course of action for our future. Our destiny has been shaped for us, not by us. We must see the uniqueness and good in each culture, and use that as a means for unity, not division.
Most Bahamians are culturally conditioned with a limiting belief system, focused on what we do not have in terms of abilities and natural resources; rather than focusing on maximizing what it is that we do have. Relating to everything that you read in this document, there will be someone who will tell you why we cannot achieve it, rather than how we can.
The Plan
This Plan is the BCP Blueprint of Governing the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It will follow the Preamble of the Constitution of the Bahamas, and the paradigm that inclusion is the solution. Its tenants are Love, Respect, Unity and Self-Discipline. Within the next 5 years, the BCP will drastically ameliorate the lives of every Bahamian, by removing the policies that have frustrated, and impoverished the nation.
Mission: “Ensure That Everyone’s Goals Are Achievable”
Vision: “Lead The Nation Back To A Dependence On God”
Goal: “Put Government In The Hands Of The People”
Platform: “Put The Wealth Of The Nation In The Hands Of The People”
Message: “You And Your Children Can Live Much Better Lives”
Purpose: “Remove Policies And Practices That Divide Us”
Objective: “Ensure That No One Is Left Out Or Overlooked”
Method: “Serve With Love, Honor, Trust And Respect”
The Priorities
To Restore Law And Order In Government And The Citizenry.
To Create Hope And Opportunities For All To Achieve Their Goals.
To Ensure That Every Island Is Developed And Becomes Self Sufficient.
To Assist In Developing Our Combined And Individual Creative Talents And Abilities.
To Create Equal Economic Opportunities For All And Abolish All Monopolies.
To Assist Students, Parents And Teachers In Achieving A National Grade Level Of B Minus (B-).
To Ensure That Everyone Entering The Bahamas, Does So Legally.
To Create A Democracy Whereby Every Citizen Is Treated Equal.
To Increase Our Exports By 1200% And Reduce Our Imports By 60%.
To Assist The Church In Proclaiming Christ To The Nation, and Ministering to the DownTrodden
The Development Of The Performing Arts And Sports Training Facilities On All Islands.
National Goals
Spend the first 6 months in office in town meetings throughout the nation, with a view to find our common aspirations as a nation, and collectively bring these together as one national goal spanning the next 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 years. The BCP’s National goals include:
100% Employment by within the first five years
80% Reduction in murders within the first five years
70% Reduction in crime within the first five years
60% Reduction in imported goods and 1,200% increase in exports within the first five years
30% Reduction in the overall cost of living by within the first five years
20% Customs duty by 2024, 10% Customs duty by 2025, 0% Customs duty by 2027
800% Increase in agricultural output by within the first five years
0% Illegal immigration by within the first five years
100% Restoration of confidence in the judicial process within the first five years
60% Reduction in chronic illness within the first 7-10 years
50% Reduction in energy cost within the first five years
Introduction To New Wealth
There are $4.5 trillion in the Global Capital Markets that are available to every Bahamian right now : $12 trillion in Natural Resources, yet Bahamians are being discouraged from entering, and in some cases, prohibited from entering these markets by Bahamian government regulations. There are a $1.4 trillion in global Food exports, $1 trillion in Pharmaceutical, $450 billion Seafood harvesting market, $600 billion Apparel manufacturing, and a $500 million Recyclable bio-fuel industry, just to name a few. The BCP will show you what these opportunities and markets are, and how the government will open the doors to these markets to you.
Most Bahamians do not conceptualize that none of us are indigenous to the Bahamas. We are a conglomerate of African, Haitian, Jamaican, Turks Islanders and British people, educated by the British, serving a predominately American Clientele. We must first know who we are, where we came from and what is the best course of action for our future. Our destiny has been shaped for us, not by us. We must see the uniqueness and good in each culture, and use that as a means for unity, not division.
Most Bahamians are culturally conditioned with a limiting belief system, focused on what we do not have in terms of abilities and natural resources; rather than focusing on maximizing what it is that we do have. Relating to everything that you read in this document, there will be someone who will tell you why we cannot achieve it, rather than how we can.
The Plan
This Plan is the BCP Blueprint of Governing the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It will follow the Preamble of the Constitution of the Bahamas, and the paradigm that inclusion is the solution. Its tenants are Love, Respect, Unity and Self-Discipline. Within the next 5 years, the BCP will drastically ameliorate the lives of every Bahamian, by removing the policies that have frustrated, and impoverished the nation.
Mission: “Ensure That Everyone’s Goals Are Achievable”
Vision: “Lead The Nation Back To A Dependence On God”
Goal: “Put Government In The Hands Of The People”
Platform: “Put The Wealth Of The Nation In The Hands Of The People”
Message: “You And Your Children Can Live Much Better Lives”
Purpose: “Remove Policies And Practices That Divide Us”
Objective: “Ensure That No One Is Left Out Or Overlooked”
Method: “Serve With Love, Honor, Trust And Respect”
The Priorities
To Restore Law And Order In Government And The Citizenry.
To Create Hope And Opportunities For All To Achieve Their Goals.
To Ensure That Every Island Is Developed And Becomes Self Sufficient.
To Assist In Developing Our Combined And Individual Creative Talents And Abilities.
To Create Equal Economic Opportunities For All And Abolish All Monopolies.
To Assist Students, Parents And Teachers In Achieving A National Grade Level Of B Minus (B-).
To Ensure That Everyone Entering The Bahamas, Does So Legally.
To Create A Democracy Whereby Every Citizen Is Treated Equal.
To Increase Our Exports By 1200% And Reduce Our Imports By 60%.
To Assist The Church In Proclaiming Christ To The Nation, and Ministering to the DownTrodden
The Development Of The Performing Arts And Sports Training Facilities On All Islands.
National Goals
Spend the first 6 months in office in town meetings throughout the nation, with a view to find our common aspirations as a nation, and collectively bring these together as one national goal spanning the next 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 years. The BCP’s National goals include:
100% Employment by within the first five years
80% Reduction in murders within the first five years
70% Reduction in crime within the first five years
60% Reduction in imported goods and 1,200% increase in exports within the first five years
30% Reduction in the overall cost of living by within the first five years
20% Customs duty by 2024, 10% Customs duty by 2025, 0% Customs duty by 2027
800% Increase in agricultural output by within the first five years
0% Illegal immigration by within the first five years
100% Restoration of confidence in the judicial process within the first five years
60% Reduction in chronic illness within the first 7-10 years
50% Reduction in energy cost within the first five years
Introduction To New Wealth
There are $4.5 trillion in the Global Capital Markets that are available to every Bahamian right now : $12 trillion in Natural Resources, yet Bahamians are being discouraged from entering, and in some cases, prohibited from entering these markets by Bahamian government regulations. There are a $1.4 trillion in global Food exports, $1 trillion in Pharmaceutical, $450 billion Seafood harvesting market, $600 billion Apparel manufacturing, and a $500 million Recyclable bio-fuel industry, just to name a few. The BCP will show you what these opportunities and markets are, and how the government will open the doors to these markets to you.
Political Service, Governance & Nation Building
The Government
“When the Righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the Wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” Proverbs 29:2 (The Bible).
We must adhere to a much higher standard of public and private conduct. Trust and truth must be the hallmark of all Government leaders and expected of every citizen. The government must have a vision for the future, and so must the people.
No Monopolies & No Secret Deals
No company or individual can agree to collude for the purpose of fixing prices or to restrict the free flow of capital for the sole purpose of forming a monopoly. No exclusive rights or any contract shall be given to any individual or company for services rendered to the government. It is believed that former Bahamian Parliamentarians has taken ‘Kickbacks and Bribes’ to award government contracts; yet most see nothing wrong with this practice. Upon taking office, the BCP will immediately seek application from Bahamian individuals, corporations, and organizations, for the granting of licenses for Banks, Cable companies, Internet Service Providers, Telecommunications, Electricity and Water Distribution services, among other Services.
Power & Responsibilities Parliament
Article 52 of Constitution “ Parliament may make laws for the Peace, Order and Good Governance of The Bahamas.”
We also support the view that the Westminster System of Parliamentary Democracy as it is practiced in the Commonwealth Nations, infer too much power upon the Office of the Prime Minister, with little accountability; and whereas, much of this power should be in the hands of the Bahamian people. We should collectively work together until this vision becomes one. With this shared vision and mutual trust and respect, then and only then can we move forward as one.
Reducing the Power of Government
Under no circumstance should one individual have the sole right to determine who does business in the Bahamas, or what type of legal business a Bahamian can own. We are of the view that no Legislation or practice should be in place that allows the government to act in a manner contrary to the wishes of the majority of its citizens.
Decentralizing Government
Every major Island in the Bahamas shall have its own Consolidated Fund. The majority of the revenue generated on that Island will remain in that Island’s fund for further development, and the lesser portion shall be diverted to the Central government to meets its financial obligations, and provide funding for shortfalls of other less developed islands. Very stringent methods of managing the local islands funds by the Local government officials, to ensure accountability and transparency by the Central government. The Local government officials will be provided with the necessary tools and funding to travel to seek investment opportunities for their Island.
Constitutional Democracy - The Republic of The Bahamas
The BCP believes in Constitutional Democracy, which is most effectively orchestrated and implemented in a Republic System of Governance, which extols the Rule of Law. The BCP has studied and put together a plan to transition the Bahamas to a Republic. Your vote for a BCP government will take us closer toward achieving that goal, and will be our commitment to you, to facilitate that objective following a National Referendum on the same, within the first 24 months of coming to office.
Inclusive Nation Building
We understand that in order to build an inclusive nation, where everyone are able to develop their talent and achieve their goals, we must start at the community level. This includes all political parties and relevant stakeholders must have a seat at the table for future planning for the nation. All citizens must see themselves as part of a team working toward the same objective and welfare for all. Each community and island must have its needs met. Truly we must be our brother’s and neighbor’s keeper. We must learn respect, honor, trust and care for our neighbors. The teaching of these tenants will return to the classroom.
Individual Rights
The Constitution of the Bahamas is not taught in the classroom, yet it outlines basic fundamental rights, privileges and the responsibility of citizenship. Equal opportunity should be extended to all Bahamians, whether they be rich, middle class or poor. Most Bahamians are not pursuing their dreams and should have the opportunity to do so, with opportunities extended in the Constitution.
Freedom of Information
Government is of the people and for the people, as such, citizens have a right to know what its government is doing on their behalf. This includes the right to know what their money is being spent on; the right to review all bids received by the government; the right to review audited reports of the spending of all government funds, and to view all government deals. The BCP will expand the Freedom of Information Act, with more input by the people. The people will outline how they want their government to operate.
The Economy & Investments
Minimum Wages
The Bahamas is a talented nation, yet there are some who have become frustrated and discouraged workers. There is very little incentive for an adult to work an entire week only to collect $210.00. Our national survey concluded that a minimum salary for a single individual to be self-sufficient is $399.00 per week. Therefore, the BCP will work assiduously with the Private sector to come to an adequate basic minimum wage before going to Parliament for approval. The BCP seeks to direct un-employed and under-employed individuals into a training program to help them to acquire the necessary skills to become self-sufficient.
Protecting Bahamian Workers
Our labor laws must guarantee the rights and protection of all workers, and the laws must be upheld by the Courts and enforced by government. Safer working conditions, adequate compensation and individual respect for each worker must be the norm. Therefore Union busting will not be tolerated. However, the display of excellence will be encouraged by all Unions and their workers. All civil servants (Government Employees) shall have opportunities for career change, promotions and educational pursuits.
Bahamian Investors
The BCP has a plan for creating Bahamians Investors. The process of business ownership will be simplified and the cost to start up and operate a business will be reduced, with lower fees and customs duty. We expect Bahamian owned businesses to flourish and expand to other locations. We will encourage Bahamian-owned businesses to become investors locally and globally, and seek opportunities to franchise their businesses.
Shares held by the government in private and public enterprises, where possible, will be divested, and made available through Initial Public Offerings (IPO’s), and secondary offerings to Bahamian citizens, companies, pension funds and institutional investors.
Foreign Investor Venture Capital Fund
Foreign Investors from every nation are welcome to share in the new economy, except it will not be by Direct Foreign investment. Instead each immigrant investor seeking permanent residence can qualify by contributing to the Venture Capital fund with a minimum of $2 million (fully at risk). The fund will make money available to Bahamians seeking to start or expand their own business, for the benefit of the Bahamas. The fund will be managed by experience Bahamian fund managers; or Bahamian Investors can seek their own Foreign Joint Venture Partners. This is to encourage Bahamian Business Ownership fueled by foreign capital.
$12 Trillion available to Bahamians
It is estimated that there are more than 1 billion metric ton of oolitic aragonite sand on the seabed in the Bahamas, worth more than $2 trillion. It is estimated that there is more than 17 billion gallons of Oil in the Bahamas, worth close to $1 trillion. The Bahamas also has Natural Gas which is expected to exceed $4 trillion in value; and Alkaline mud in West Central Andros worth more than $600 billion. All this, in addition to the farming and marine resources, and the value of the Bahamian land itself.
Millions of tons of Aragonite have already been exported by foreign companies and no major financial benefit has come to the Bahamian people. The natural resources of the nation collectively belong to all Bahamians, and decisions pertaining to the mining and extracting of natural resources should collectively be made by the Bahamian people and their government, for the collective benefits of all. However, the greatest natural resource is the minds and ability of the Bahamian people; which should be encouraged to create, produce and export.
Sovereign Wealth Fund (Shared Wealth)
A BCP Government will immediately create a Ministry of Natural Resources to nationalize all the Natural Resources, to be under the direction of the government in Trust for the Bahamian People, with the Legislation and full implementation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund, generating cash dividends for all Bahamians.
The Bahamas cannot become self-reliant until the people are self-reliant. As long as the people remains poor, the government and the country will be poor. The best thing that can be done for the poor is to teach them how to overcome poverty, and give them the tools to do so. Your BCP government will collect more than thirty (30%) of all proceeds from the sale of all Natural Resources, to be shared for use by the government, and to be distributed to Bahamian citizens, Churches and Non-government organizations. Forty-nine (49) countries have a Sovereign Wealth Fund, not surprisingly the Bahamas is not in that list. China, United Arab Emirates and Norway have more that $1 trillion each, held in trust and for the benefit of its citizens.
Foreign Exchange Deregulation
Your BCP government shall removal Exchange Control Regulations to allow Bahamian businesses to open and operate Foreign currency accounts in US$, Pounds Sterling, Canadian dollars, Euros, East Caribbean Dollar, Japanese Yen and Chinese Yuan; to allow for the easy facilitation of payments and the receiving of funds for imports and exports. To this end, your BCP government will open branches of Bank of the Bahamas International in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Toronto, Haiti, Paris and London, to be staffed by Bahamians.
Banking Deregulation
A positive non-interventionist approach to banking is needed, as we are of the view that it is normally futile and damaging to the growth rate of an economy, for the Government to attempt to plan the allocation of resources available to the private sector and to frustrate the operation of market forces. As such, your BCP government deregulate collateral requirements and allow the banks to set their own risk tolerance, so that banks must compete for your money and not be forced to use the interest rates forced on them by the government. It was the government that forced banks to insist on 100% collateral for loans, not the banks themselves. Your BCP government will allow the banks to set their own security and collateral requirements, based on years of experience and risk tolerance. If a bank chooses to loan a customer money without collateral, no law should prevent them from doing so.
Bahamian Owned Banks and Trust Companies
Your BCP government will remove all forms of restrictions that prohibit Bahamians from fully participating in the global economy. Bahamians will be allowed to open and operate banks, locally or internationally. Bahamians will be able to offer offshore banking services, trust services, private banking services, investment securities, mutual funds and derivatives, in any market globally to Bahamians. Bahamians can work at offshore banks but are prohibits by Bahamian law from opening an account in the bank they work in. Some of these Banks pay twice the amount of interest, as local commercial banks. The government of the Bahamas owns a commercial bank, yet the government does not keep the majority of its funds in their own bank. The BCP will encourage the opening and facilitating of more Credit Unions, Finance and Mortgage Companies, to provide a greater level of participation of Bahamians in the economy.
Capital Markets
Global capital market make available many sources of investments and funding for Bahamian businesses, yet the Bahamas’ restrictive policies prohibit Bahamians from investing in or receiving funding from these markets. Foreigners can purchase shares from International companies from brokerage companies in the Bahamas, yet Bahamians are prohibited from doing so. A BCP government will equip Bahamians to compete in the global markets. Most Bahamians farmers have never been told that they can pre-sell their Produces, for up to 3 years in advance, and collect cash for them now; to use to purchase farm equipment to till the land, grow their products, then deliver them 3 years later.
Your BCP government will remove these laws that are bias against Bahamians, and will educate Bahamians in all opportunities available to them in all global financial and commodities markets through training seminars and community forums, so that they can get involved in these opportunities that have been made available to the rest of the world for decades.
Stock Exchanges
Your BCP government will expand the stock exchange and create policies that encourage Bahamians to take their companies public as a means of funding and global expansion. About 30 publicly traded companies sell shares on BISX, the Bahamas Stock Exchange. Our goal is to increase that number to 300 by 2026.
A Debt Free Government
The government is borrowing on average $200 million each month. Every Bahamian child is born owing the government an average of Seventeen thousand four hundred and ninety three dollars ( $17,493). Collectively, that is close to $9 billion - that is the present amount that the National Debt is approaching in 2020. Our goal is a debt free government and ultimately debt free Bahamians.
Through prudent cash management and the sale of government common stock in private enterprise, additional cash will be raised. A restructuring of Loan repayments, and Interest only payments for the first twelve months, additional cash will be retained in the Public Treasury. We expect with our new Economic policies in place, to cease government borrowing and pay off all its debt within 7 - 10 years.
National Debt Ceiling
A BCP Government will enact Legislation to place a limit on the amount of money the government can borrow in any Fiscal year, and establish a limit for the Debt Service ratio. A limit will also be set as to how much tax increase can be incurred in a given Fiscal year.
The New Economies
Labor creates wealth, which is why the rich create businesses and hire employees. Currently, the exogenous earnings (excluding taxes and customs duty) of our government are the basis of growth for the Bahamian economy, but there is a much better way. The non-egalitarian values of Bahamian society has created a disparity between the lowest paid worker and the leaders of the nation, yet the Bahamas is richly endowed with natural resources, including petroleum, solar power, seafood, government owned land, salt and its related minerals, forests and raw talent in the people.
The Digital Economy
Valued at $3 trillion, refers to an Economy that is based on digital computing technologies. Although we increasingly perceive this as conducting business through markets based on the internet and the World Wide Web. A BCP government will move the Bahamas into the age of the Hypernet, by moving beyond Wi-Fi to the LiFi.
The Green Economy
Is defined as an Economy that aims at reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities, and that aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment.
The Blue Economy
Is the "Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem."
The Orange Economy
Also known as the Creative Economy, is the bringing together of sectors of the economy "whose main purpose is the production or reproduction, promotion, dissemination and/or the marketing of goods, services and activities that have cultural, artistic or patrimonial content"
Becoming a Producer Nation
Our goal for the nation includes exporting eighty (80%) of what we produce locally, exceeding $13.19 billion in Exports, within five to seven years; significantly adding to Gross Domestic Product; eliminating the Trade deficit, while providing the funds to repay the National Debt; creating high paying jobs, and growth to the Economy. According to eMarketer’s, worldwide ecommerce sales were $1.5 trillion in 2014. Growth was primarily from online and mobile user bases in emerging markets. Your BCP government will revise the Bahamas’ archaic policies and practices and allow Bahamian business to open US$ accounts locally, and we make exporting good as easy as importing them, mainly to Germany, Europe, Canada, USA).
Barbados exports $14 million worth of alcoholic beverages annually, Jamaica $24 million, USA $174 billion, worldwide $1 trillion. The Bahamas imports and consumes it, so why not create incentives for Bahamian Businesses to produce, and export it?
It is an established fact that no nation has ever become wealthy that did not have a considerable amount of exports. Most Bahamians do not have the money to invest, The BCP will change that. Through the Bahamas Development Bank, your BCP government will provide non-collateralized funding for Bahamians who are interested in manufacturing or exporting.
Mega Yachts
According to the Global Recreational Boating Industry Analysis and Forecast 2010-2015 by Lucintel, the value of global recreational boat market shipment was $18.21 billion in the year 2009 and is expected to grow to $27.8 billion by 2015. The Bahamas is well positioned to manufacture mega yachts.
Alkaline Mud
Naturally produced in West Andros and North Grand Bahama. The raw ingredients for sheet rock, joint compound and paint is formed naturally in the warm waters of the Bahamas. Your BCP government will assist Bahamians in bringing these products to the local and global markets.
Quality Orchids
Andros Island abounds with more than fifty (50) species of export quality orchids. We can produce industries from these plants.
Brilliant ideas can become commercially viable in such fields as, but is not limited to: extracting Chlorine from sea water, Pharmaceuticals, Prescription Drugs, Electronic Components manufacturing, Electronic Circuit Boards, Small Appliances, Bahamian Music, Bahamian Movies & Television Shows; Canned foods, such as Tuna, Tomato pastes, Ketchup, Pineapples and Coconuts, among other produces. We can also produce Solar panels. Foreign companies sell their brands worldwide, so can Bahamians. The Bahamas has many products that can be processed, sold locally and globally.
"Bahamians are smart and capable, but need opportunities."
SOCIAL INCLUSION & FAMILY LIFE
Focus on the Family
Children should be brought up in an environment where they are nurtured and encouraged to set their goals high, and then be given a framework of how to achieve them. We seek to promote activities that the entire family can enjoy together.
Social Inclusion (the Road to Recovery)
The Ministry of Social Development (Social Services) will play a key role in nurturing society. Within this Department, there are professional and highly trained counselors and social workers, which are capable of leading the nation back on the right path, if presented with the tools and opportunities. The BCP shall create those opportunities. We will focus not on social services, but rather on social development. If our society is to become strong, morals must be brought high and the family must flourish. We need socially and morally balanced individuals for the nation to flourish. “Half-way” house will be made available for those in recovery, homeless or incapable of providing for themselves. No one will be left to live on the ‘streets’.
Church & State - "A Better Bahamas - Starts with the Church”
The Church as instituted by God is a higher authority than the government. Funds given to Churches are for the main purpose of helping society, through numerous joint Social Partnership programs with the government; and to assist the Church carry out its mandate to preach and teach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. The BCP government is in no way desirous of taxing Church revenue. The BCP is more interested in adding to it. As such, Churches will be free from all forms of taxation, and receive 10% of the government’s Revenue from the Sovereign Wealth Fund as Tithes. The nation needs a message of hope, and the Church has a major role to play in this.
EDUCATION AND YOUNG PEOPLE
The Bahamas has been endowed by its Creator with a Super Abundance of Creative and Talented Young Persons. Young men, the BCP understand your dreams and your disappointments. Tell us what you need. It is our job to make it happen. Young Ladies, tells us what you need, to take your rightful place in the nation. Our plan includes investing $1 Billion over the next five years to assist with the development of the varied talent of young persons in the nation. Not only shall the BCP invest money in our youth, your BCP government will keep them safe, help them become educated and take their education as high as they hope to achieve, while providing the love, nurturing, guidance and skills that they need to achieve their goals. None will be left out. Our young people have God given talents, yet only 19% of them have a University degree. The BCP will make higher education available to all.
Ethics and Morality
Odious behavior is present in every sector and age within our communities. We cannot expect people to have high moral standard and principles if they have never been taught respect, self-discipline and delayed gratification. Your BCP government will provide training within and out of the classroom.
National Service
A Non-combatant National Service Program will cover Grades 10 through 12, to teach discipline, self-respect and honor. It will be incorporated into the high school curriculum over three years, so to not interfere with student’s college plans. Students not graduating with the minimum graduation requirements will be required to undergo an additional 6 months of National Service to prepare them for their place in society. Neighbors building relationships, this is real community.
Education
Specialized knowledge will provide a child with better opportunities. Firstly, we must un-do a lot of mis-education, and create an Educational system that is relevant to the Bahamas of today and the future. Your BCP government will introduce specialized knowledge, tailored to the needs of the individual. This new system of learning will be based on knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
The schools will be divided into three main phases:
Elementary School, Grades 1 – 4 (4 years)
Middle School, Grades 5 – 8 (4 years)
High School, Grades 9 – 12 (4 years)
The curriculum will be divided into 8 broad areas of concentration.
The following courses will be added to the school’s curriculum:
Bahamian History (Beginning in grade 2)
Constitution and Government (Beginning in grade 3)
Bahamian Literature (Beginning in grade 3)
World Literature (Beginning in grade 4)
Apps Programs for Cellphones and Computer (Beginning in grade 3)
Family life (Beginning in grade 3)
Languages: Italian, German, Spanish, French (optional throughout)
Financial Education (Beginning in grade 3)
Morality, Ethics and Etiquette (Beginning in grade 3)
SAT Preparation (Beginning in grade 7)
Disparity in Educational quality is delineated by wealth and race. Generations of brilliant and talented Bahamians have never reached their full potential because their parents lacked money. Parliamentarians say that they provide quality education for our children in the public schools, yet virtually none of their children attend public schools.
To reduce course load, the quantity of courses taken in the current curriculum will be reduced. The goal is to significantly reduce courses which have little value to the future and career choice of our students and give them the specific education that is suitable to their individual needs. It is our view that you cannot educate a child without knowing the child’s goals and aspirations. National surveys will be conducted with students in Grades 7 through 12, to access their changing needs, aspirations and future goals.
Text Books
Bahamians Educators will be encouraged to write and published Textbooks electronically, which will be downloaded by students on their notebook computer or Tablet. Students will no longer have to struggle with large bags of books. For parents and students that prefer textbook, they will be available in limited prints. Electronic textbooks mean lower cost and less to carry.
Cafeterias
In house Cafeterias will replace snack shops and outdoor vendors, and a voucher system will be introduced similar to colleges, whereby parents can purchase meal plans for their children, daily, weekly, monthly or yearly at significantly reduced cost. This will also eliminate the embarrassment of children on the Social Services lunch plan, as all students will utilize the voucher system. Qualified vendors will be invited to work with the In-House Cafeterias as Independent Contractors.
Preschool Education:
The habits and attitude toward learning starts here, so it is imperative that the environment is not crowded, is safe, fun and exciting; and every tool to enhance learning made available to every child, regardless of the financial standing of their parents. Your BCP government will give assistance to all preschools to ensure that they operate at a prescribed national standard. The environment must be one that is conducive to learning.
Elementary School Education
Your BCP government shall raise the quality of government schools to the level of private schools. Studies have shown that children under the age of seven (7) learn foreign languages at a faster rate. Equal opportunities for education will be available for all. Courses that meet the specific need of the individual will be implemented. Teachers and Students will now have an input in the planning of the curriculum. Greater autonomy will be afforded each School’s Principal to cater to the needs of his/her individual school. The Ministry of Education will serve in the role of a regulator and not as an Administrator.
Middle School Education
Middle school serves as a transition to high school, with student becoming more mature and narrowing their field of study to courses that are more relevant to their future needs.
High School Education
High school will prepare students for college, vocation schools and the work place. Much of the education will be taken outside of the classroom, so that students may experience hands on, practical knowledge. The High School experience will be similar to that of Pre-college, whereby students take core courses and electives based on their planned career paths.
"With better facilities and a student friendly curriculum, we expect to see the National Grade Point average to improve to an average of B-."
School Buses
Government sponsored community busing will be introduced. Buses will bear the names and mascot of the school for which it assigned so that students are sure to catch the correct bus. This will reduce the walk time to school for students in the family Islands and reduce traffic flows on Islands like New Providence. Our plan includes providing school buses to provide busing from neighborhoods directly to the various schools. A properly managed, reliable and safe school bus system will reduce the need for parents to commute for ‘school runs’ and thereby reduce traffic jams.
University of the Bahamas (UB)
More focus will be placed on Science, Technology, Agri-business, Marine sciences, Computer programming, Medical research, and Athletics. Your BCP government will cause to be constructed, a branch of the University of the Bahamas in several islands as District colleges; and also in Clarence Town, Long Island with dormitories and sports facilities, to serve as a regional education center for the Southern Bahamas.
Technical Education
Plans including the expansion of the courses and trades available to Bahamians through BTVI and the Hotel Training College. Plans include converting the former Royal Oasis Hotel in Grand Bahama to the University of the Bahamas, Bahamas Hotel Training College (with a working hotel, casino and restaurants), Bahamas Training and Vocational Institute (BTVI), and a Medical School. Students will study Hotel Maintenance, Engineering, Landscape Architect, Hospitality Management, in addition to the current curriculum.
Higher Education
Our plan of inclusion calls for eighty (80% ) of the population holding college degrees and the other twenty (20%) holding advanced certificates in vocational studies. To this end your BCP government will issue 12,000 grants and scholarships in the first five years.
Advanced Degrees
Much emphasis will be placed on a more highly educated population and work force. Plans include increasing the number of persons holding Doctorate Degrees by 600%, Masters Degrees by 1,200%, Bachelor’s Degrees by 3,200%, and creating research projects and teaching post for these persons, while ensuring that they are properly compensated so as to significantly reduce the number of highly educated and skilled Bahamians finding the need to leave the country in search of better opportunities.
Collective Intelligence
The BCP will utilize the collective mind of all Bahamas’ citizens. It is our goal to position the Bahamas as a major offshore education destination for international students, particularly but not limited to the areas of: Medical degrees, Medical research, Pharmacology, Marine diversity Research and Bio-technology research. Combined with the local intelligence, the Bahamas will have access to the brightest mind in the world.
The Arts, Literature and Culture
It is our view that government should be at the forefront in promoting Bahamian art, literature and culture globally, including the country’s premier Culture Junkanoo. By negotiating with international museums, art galleries and talent showcases to display Bahamian works, and assist with touring artists. Just as we study English Literature and American Literature, other nations can study Bahamian Literature. Bahamian Literature must be brought into the classroom. Also, Bahamians should be encouraged to write and produce, books, novels, movies, television shows, plays, and text books, print them locally, distribute locally and globally.
"Good moral values and self discipline are a hallmark of success, and must be taught to every citizen of every age."
Health and Wellness
The number of Bahamians dying from illness far supersedes those dying by Homicide. As such, the BCP views the physical and mental health crisis facing our nation as a national crisis greater that violent crimes. The Bahamas Constitution Party (BCP) seeks to promote healthy lifestyles and incentives to reduce the cost of healthy foods, fruits, vegetables, fish and exercise equipment. Bahamians students will be taught in the classroom, the correlation between the food we eat and the amount of exercise to our health condition. More focus will be placed on mental illness, its prevention, treatment and cure.
Pharmaceuticals Vs Bush Medicine
Global spending on prescription drugs now exceeds $1 trillion annually, yet this is a market that has remained untapped by Bahamians. The BCP will fund major research to scientifically determine the validity of the healing properties of “Bush” medicine. If such discovers prove positive, your BCP government will assist Bahamian Medical Researchers with funding for the development of major Bahamian owned pharmaceutical company to produce prescription medical for the global market. Your BCP Government will fund research into the mud in Andros and the great Bahama Bank, to determine the validity of its medicinal value.
Natural Medicine Research Center
Natural Medicine Research centers will be established in Andros and New Providence to evaluate both the medicinal values, and its Marketability of these medicines for local uses and international exports. Most prescription drugs have side effects, most natural remedies do not.
Aloe is mentioned in the bible and has been used for its medicinal qualities for thousands of years.
Cerasee, grown wild in the Bahamas is known globally for its healing properties.
Fever Grass is believed to have Medicinal Properties, also known as Lemon Grass.
Activated Charcoal is made from coconut shells, is used in hospitals
RENEWABLE ENERGY & ELECTRICITY
Energy Security
The BCP’s overall plan includes reducing energy cost by 40%. Your BCP government will seek Bahamian Inventors, Scientist and engineers, who can produce engines that can run entirely on recyclable bio-fuel, as well as implement a national Solar grid, utilize Wind energy, Ocean and geo-thermal turbines, in order to produce low cost and renewable Energy.
Solar Energy
Solar Panels will be installed on the roof of government buildings, reducing the need for large plots of land to service the production of Solar energy. They will make up a part of the national solar grid. Solar Panels will be allowed to be installed on residents and businesses of all who could afford it, with infrastructure to return power to the National grid.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is found in abundance throughout the Bahamas, but this natural resource has not been utilized to serve the Bahamian people. Your BCP government will reduce the cost of marine fuel by fifty- percent (50%) by assisting marine operators in converting their gasoline engines to natural gas. Similar savings are expected with vehicles and public transportation. Carnival Cruise Lines announced that its newest ship, the Mardi Gras, the largest it has ever built, will be powered by liquefied natural gas. Under your BCP government, Natural gas will be evaluated to be harvested and used throughout the Bahamas.