By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

ONLY one teacher reportedly showed up for duty at Columbus Primary School yesterday, three weeks into the new academic year, as the campus continued to operate without a substantive principal more than two years after the post became vacant.

Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) president Belinda Wilson said the school has had no principal since June 2023 and completed the entire 2024 academic year without one.

Mrs Wilson said the leadership vacuum is straining staff. “Teachers at Columbus Primary are already feeling stressed,” she said. “Administrators who are present are overworked and unable to make decisions that are above their pay grade.” Parents and teachers, she said, have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of stable leadership.

Mrs Wilson said Columbus Primary is not alone, listing unfilled principal posts at Claridge Primary, United Estates Primary in San Salvador, Laura Anderson Primary, Luther Samuel Guy Pinder in Spanish Wells, GM Major Primary in Long Island, North Long Island High, Central Andros High, Ellen Coakley High in Exuma, PA Gibson Primary and Harbour Island Comprehensive School.

Director of Education Dominique McCartney Russell acknowledged the vacancies and said appointments are in train, with interim leaders placed in some cases. She said staffing moves are creating a “domino effect” as officers are reassigned across the system. “Once we remove principals from lower grade schools, we have to replace them,” she said. “So it is almost like a domino effect and we believe that we will have that process completed by next week.” At North Long Island High, where the principal is on vacation, an acting officer has been identified and introduced to staff.

Teacher shortages remain a system-wide challenge. Mrs McCartney Russell said more than 16 officers have been recruited through job fairs and regional outreach, but there is still a shortfall of at least 20 teachers, especially in English, Mathematics, Science and Visual Arts. She thanked retired teachers for stepping in and said the virtual teaching platform introduced in 2019 remains a fallback where gaps persist.

The Tribune understands the Parent Teacher Association at Inagua All Age School has repeatedly raised concerns about long-standing shortages and inadequate resources. Earlier this month, the group said the school did not have English, Art or Music teachers. McCartney Russell confirmed an English teacher has been identified for Inagua and is expected to be deployed once paperwork is completed.

The ministry has also expanded direct engagement with parents through a series of virtual meetings, including a national PTA session held online on Wednesday evening, aimed at strengthening the link between school and home, updating families on ministry initiatives, and guiding parents on supporting students academically.

Mrs McCartney Russell said security protocols are being tightened on campuses. All visitors must present government-issued identification, be escorted by security, and arrange appointments in advance except in emergencies.