By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Director Dominique McCartney-Russell warned yesterday that Caring Hands Academy could face consequences for failing to register with the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas (NAECOB), though she said officials will first seek to guide the institution through the proper registration process.

Her remarks came after it was revealed that Caring Hands Academy — where six-year-old Vernal “Zion” Williams was fatally struck by a collapsing swing set — is not on NAECOB’s list of approved schools.

Mrs McCartney-Russell said the school must complete the registration procedures before it can be recognised. “There are consequences, but that’s not the first line of defence. What NAECOB tries to do is they would speak with the proprietors, and they will ask them to go through the process, do it right,” she said.

“NAECOB is there really to to help, and they protect as well. They will tell you, for example, what you should do with your infrastructure, your curriculum, the qualifications for your teachers and so NAECOB is there to help. The first line of defense is not to just close operations, but to see how they can get them to follow the protocols.”

Pressed further on whether the school will face sanctions, she replied: “They may. I’m not sure.”

A source told The Tribune that whether Caring Hands is granted registration will depend on information it submits and inspections conducted by NAECOB teams.

The tragedy has reignited debate over oversight of private schools. NAECOB was formed in 2006 to ensure educational institutions in The Bahamas meet minimum standards, including infrastructure, curriculum, and teacher qualifications. Independent schools are also legally required to register under the Education Act, which makes it an offence to operate outside the official register.

In addition to regulatory concerns, observers have questioned the structural integrity of the swing set itself. Cleveland Rolle, the only licensed playground contractor in the country, told The Tribune that the equipment “appeared not to have been properly installed”. He said commercial playgrounds must be anchored in steel and cement and routinely inspected — standards that may not have been met at the school.

Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said the incident demands stronger oversight of all schools, public and private.

“There must be accountability the Minister of Education, the Honorable Glenys Hanna Martin, must cause all schools registered under the Ministry of Education, be they public or private, to adhere to rules and regulations,” Mrs Wilson said.

“In fact, the Ministry of Education owes the public an explanation as to whether or not this institution was adhering to the rules and what plans have been adopted going forward for the safety of our children.”