MOE Contract Signing/ BLC Launch/ Tablet Procurement

In recognizing the importance of high-speed access for distance learning, Cable Bahamas Business Solutions, a division of Cable Bahamas Ltd., has partnered with the Ministry of Education in an effort to upgrade the technology for public schools.  The contract in the amount of $750,000 annually, will facilitate a fibre optic technology upgrade throughout the public-school sector on Grand Bahama and Eleuthera.

The signed contract will result in an improved technical infrastructure at government schools; linking all district offices and public schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera. This initiative supports the Ministry of Education’s goals to prepare 172 schools, 60 satellite offices, over 50,000 public school students and 4,000 teachers within the public school system for a world class, first class, public school digital educational experience.

“The full digitization of the public education system is an historic undertaking that will utilize our most talented educators to deliver online lessons in the disciplines which typically face shortages,” Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd said, adding that distance learning will allow students to tap into an archive of online resources.

This Fiber infrastructure also provides the foundation for Learning Management System (LMS), Educational Management Information System (EMIS), distance learning modalities, and other smart school applications.

“We are committed to bridging the digital divide to ensure that everyone can enjoy success at school, at work and in their communities and we are proud to work with the Ministry of Education to help achieve this goal” stated Charnette Thompson, Director of Enterprise Solutions for Commercial Sales.  This commitment is further demonstrated procurement and distribution of over 5,800 tablets that are preloaded with popular applications like Zoom, Khan Academy and Class Dojo to simplify activation for students.

In addition, Cable Bahamas Business Solutions was also an instrumental partner in the official launch of the Bahamas Learning Channels (BLC) via REV Media as a part of the nation’s response to Covid-19.  Channel 295 with programming for junior and senior high school students was launched on April 2020 with programming to support students preparing for the Bahamas Junior Certificate and Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.  BLC channel 296 launched May 2020, and was designed for students in pre-primary to upper primary school.

“We are proud to be a trusted partner and are committed to do all we can to ensure that our students and educators have the tools and the access they need to continue learning remotely in the distance platform.”  commented Franklyn Butler, CEO and Executive Vice Chairman for CBGC, who actively managed all facets of these projects.