Education Bill 2026 to Repeal the Education Act of 1962
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
Education Bill 2026 to Repeal the Education Act of 1962
Accessibility Tool
Content Adjustments
Adjust Font Size
-
Default
+
Highlight Links
Letter Spacing
Dyslexia Font
Color Adjustments
Monochrome
Tools
Mute/unmute
Big Cursor
Reading Guide
Back
Home
News and Press Release
Type:
Featured Story
, What's New
24 Mar 2026
By:
Llonella Gilbert
Source:
Bahamas Information Services
Education Bill 2026 to Repeal the Education Act of 1962
NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin said the Education Bill 2026, once passed, will repeal the Education Act of 1962 and its various amendments over the years up to 1996.
“This therefore represents the first comprehensive review of our education policy and administrative framework in almost 65 years,” the Education Minister said during the Reading of Bills and Initiatives in the House of Assembly on Monday, March 23, 2026.
“The Education Bill 2026 is supremely significant as for the first time in legislation, it explicitly affirms education as a human right, free for every child."
She said, “On the issue of free for every child, I want to give notice that we intend to move an amendment. Section 23 has certain language but when you look at it combined with clause 45, you see that it continues to give the Minister a role in providing materials.”
The Minister said however, "for the avoidance of doubt, we will move legislation akin to language used in the 62 act which speaks about the provision of materials as resources permit."
“The Ministry has been actively involved in providing and seeking to provide resources, ebooks, textbooks, and electronics for students free of charge, so this clause as it relates to materials and text will become moot in a very short order.”
She explained that this legislation, raises up education to the highest pinnacle in the quest for human advancement, undergirded by progressive policy and a targeted administrative regime to procure desired outcomes for the Bahamian child.
The Education Minister also noted that this is not symbolic language. It is a legal and moral declaration that: Every child, regardless of background, ability, location, or circumstance, is entitled to education; by this legislation the state bears responsibility not only for access, but for quality, equity, and protection of that right. Parents too and others in the wider community are stakeholders, legally bound to ensure that every child is accorded that human right and that that right is not interfered with.
She said decisions about education must always be guided by the best interests of the child.
“By embedding education as a right in law, this Bill raises up the Bahamian child, strengthens accountability, reinforces equity, and aligns our national education system with international human rights principles—while grounding them firmly in Bahamian realities.
“This legislation modernizes the legislative framework by introducing updated definitions, strengthening governance, expanding compulsory education, formalizing national curriculum standards, adding home-schooling regulations, enhancing accountability mechanisms, and aligning educational administration with contemporary global practices.”
The Minister explained that it replaces the 1962 Act, which focused primarily on foundational governance, school registration, and minimum education standards.
She said, “The legislation we debate today is therefore a modern, forward looking regime that places the learner at the centre of our national education system.”
The Education Minister said, “This Bill replaces an outdated framework with legislation that reflects how children learn today, how families engage with education, how technology has transformed access to learning, and how the nation must prepare young people for life, work, and citizenship in the 21st century.”
(BIS Photos/Ulric Woodside)
Previous
Next
Press Release
PM Davis - Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (Amendment), Decentralised Autonomous Organisations, and Usufruct Interest Bills 2026
Featured Story
Early Childhood Care Commission Bill 2026 Represents a Significant Advancement for Early Childhood Care
Quick Useful Links
The National Honours Society 2026 Call for Nominations
Budget Performance Reports
Budget Documents
Preparing Your Home and Family for a Hurricane
General Orders
Request for Expression of Interest
Hurricane Shelter Listing 2025
Install the BNEA APP
COVID-19 Frequent Asked Questions
Department of Labour’s Jobseekers Portal
Celebrate Bahamas
Load More
For Website Technical Support
Call and speak to a DICT Customer service agent.
+1 242 604 4688
Need to reach the DICT? Send us an email.
support@bahamas.gov.bs
Get in touch with our DICT support team.
get in touch
Explore frequently asked questions.
ask question
This site uses cookies to serve our services. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Okay, Thanks
Accessibility Tool
Content Adjustments
Adjust Font Size
-
Default
+
Highlight Links
Letter Spacing
Dyslexia Font
Color Adjustments
Monochrome
Tools
Mute/unmute
Big Cursor
Reading Guide
Back
Home
News and Press Release
Type:
Featured Story
, What's New
24 Mar 2026
By:
Llonella Gilbert
Source:
Bahamas Information Services
Education Bill 2026 to Repeal the Education Act of 1962
NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin said the Education Bill 2026, once passed, will repeal the Education Act of 1962 and its various amendments over the years up to 1996.
“This therefore represents the first comprehensive review of our education policy and administrative framework in almost 65 years,” the Education Minister said during the Reading of Bills and Initiatives in the House of Assembly on Monday, March 23, 2026.
“The Education Bill 2026 is supremely significant as for the first time in legislation, it explicitly affirms education as a human right, free for every child."
She said, “On the issue of free for every child, I want to give notice that we intend to move an amendment. Section 23 has certain language but when you look at it combined with clause 45, you see that it continues to give the Minister a role in providing materials.”
The Minister said however, "for the avoidance of doubt, we will move legislation akin to language used in the 62 act which speaks about the provision of materials as resources permit."
“The Ministry has been actively involved in providing and seeking to provide resources, ebooks, textbooks, and electronics for students free of charge, so this clause as it relates to materials and text will become moot in a very short order.”
She explained that this legislation, raises up education to the highest pinnacle in the quest for human advancement, undergirded by progressive policy and a targeted administrative regime to procure desired outcomes for the Bahamian child.
The Education Minister also noted that this is not symbolic language. It is a legal and moral declaration that: Every child, regardless of background, ability, location, or circumstance, is entitled to education; by this legislation the state bears responsibility not only for access, but for quality, equity, and protection of that right. Parents too and others in the wider community are stakeholders, legally bound to ensure that every child is accorded that human right and that that right is not interfered with.
She said decisions about education must always be guided by the best interests of the child.
“By embedding education as a right in law, this Bill raises up the Bahamian child, strengthens accountability, reinforces equity, and aligns our national education system with international human rights principles—while grounding them firmly in Bahamian realities.
“This legislation modernizes the legislative framework by introducing updated definitions, strengthening governance, expanding compulsory education, formalizing national curriculum standards, adding home-schooling regulations, enhancing accountability mechanisms, and aligning educational administration with contemporary global practices.”
The Minister explained that it replaces the 1962 Act, which focused primarily on foundational governance, school registration, and minimum education standards.
She said, “The legislation we debate today is therefore a modern, forward looking regime that places the learner at the centre of our national education system.”
The Education Minister said, “This Bill replaces an outdated framework with legislation that reflects how children learn today, how families engage with education, how technology has transformed access to learning, and how the nation must prepare young people for life, work, and citizenship in the 21st century.”
(BIS Photos/Ulric Woodside)
Previous
Next
Press Release
PM Davis - Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (Amendment), Decentralised Autonomous Organisations, and Usufruct Interest Bills 2026
Featured Story
Early Childhood Care Commission Bill 2026 Represents a Significant Advancement for Early Childhood Care
Quick Useful Links
The National Honours Society 2026 Call for Nominations
Budget Performance Reports
Budget Documents
Preparing Your Home and Family for a Hurricane
General Orders
Request for Expression of Interest
Hurricane Shelter Listing 2025
Install the BNEA APP
COVID-19 Frequent Asked Questions
Department of Labour’s Jobseekers Portal
Celebrate Bahamas
Load More
For Website Technical Support
Call and speak to a DICT Customer service agent.
+1 242 604 4688
Need to reach the DICT? Send us an email.
support@bahamas.gov.bs
Get in touch with our DICT support team.
get in touch
Explore frequently asked questions.
ask question
This site uses cookies to serve our services. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Okay, Thanks