What are your options?
Every parent or prospective parent thinking about moving wants to know if their will child receive an excellent education there? Whether it is for Pre–K or high school, the question is the same. Is it wise to concentrate on private institutions, or is The Bahamas public education system sufficient?
Simply put, yes there is the opportunity for your child or children to receive top tier education in The Bahamas, albeit it will come with a price tag.
For many years, the Bahamas government has fostered a strong educational system for all its residents. There are 170 educational institutions serving more than 50,000 students ranging from kindergarten -12. School attendance rate is 92% with a literacy rate of 93%. The current educational system in the Bahamas holds a 6-3-3 structure:
- Ages 5 to 11 spend six years in primary school.
- Ages 11 to 14 spend three years in junior school.
- Ages 14 to 17 spend three years in senior school.
The Ministry of Education establishes national curriculum guidelines focused on national examinations administered to students at four stages: Grade Level Assessment Tests (GLAT) are administered at the end of grades 3 and 6; the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) at the end of grade 9 and the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) as an exit exam, generally taken at the end of grade 12. Complimenting the government efforts are private institutions with curriculums based on International Baccalaureate Programme (IB), Cambridge International Programme, among others. These institutions also offer international examinations like IGCSEs.
The Education Act of 1996 mandates that every child in the Bahamas must have access to free, high-quality education. However, the public school system suffers from overcrowding, impending the quality of the education provided. Accordingly, private institutions are preferred by both locals and international persons. Private education can cost anywhere from $5,000 annually to $35,000 depending on grade level and school of choice. Want a more in-depth look at schooling options, we can help you compare school.