By RICARDO WELLS

EDUCATION officials are increasing the number of school boards around the nation from 49 to 54, expanding the operation to Andros, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology announced that the move is intended to bring a “process of decentralisation and devolution within the public education system” to Family Island schools, comparable to operations currently in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Ministry officials said that Abaco Central Primary, Abaco Central High, Central Eleuthera High, L N Coakley High and North Andros High will all have school boards after national school board elections yesterday. Nominations were held on October 8 for people seeking to serve on boards for the next three years.

Education officials revealed that the Department of Education will be hosting workshops with elected personnel after the election process. The ministry also plans to incorporate the local administrator’s office and district councils for the new Family Islands school boards in Abaco, Andros and Eleuthera.

This is being done “for the purpose of ensuring that the entire respective local communities are made aware of and the function of the school boards generally”.

School boards were established after a 1996 Education Act amendment allowed for the creation of groups responsible for the “efficient management of schools”. According to the Education Act, “efficient management” includes minor repairs, maintenance of school premises, the acquisition of school furniture, equipment, books, materials and any necessary improvements or extensions to school premises.

The Education Act also details a list of issues that requires input from an elected school board – appointments of principals and teachers; school curriculum, student suspensions, registration, attendance and examination of pupils; disciplinary actions that can be enforced on pupils inside and outside schools; punishment and suspension of pupils; health and medical inspections required of pupils; school holidays and the internal organisation and management of the school.