NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Public school teachers and their biological children will be able to take advantage of a variety of scholarships come January after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between The Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) and The Bahamas Baptist University College (BBC).
BUT President Belinda Wilson said that they are pleased to sign on to an agreement that offers more opportunities for teachers in the country.
“The memorandum that we are signing is for our members to be able to matriculate into the college and it also extends to the biological children of our members,” she said.
BBUC President Juliette Reid said that school programs ranging from early childhood to tertiary will be included in the agreement.
“We are very pleased to be able to forge this agreement that will be creating pathways for teaching staff, educators, as well as non-teaching as well as the children of both categories,” Reid said.
BUT union members will decide on the selection of beneficiaries and Reid explained that there is no cap on the number of teachers that can take advantage of the system.
Successful applicants will receive 20 percent off their tuition and another 50 percent discount on admission fees.
Reid said: “Children of members will receive discounts to any of our institutions whether it’s at the college level, the secondary school level, primary level, or early childhood education level.”
“In addition, we will be working assiduously with Mrs. Wilson to put on conferences, workshops, and seminars as the need arises with the college personnel as well as our international partner.”
BUT has also partnered with the Charlotte Knowles-Thomson Agency Ltd education consultancy, which aims to assist students of all ages to acquire quality education.
The union established a memorandum of understanding with several Charlotte Knowles-Thompson Agency partner universities: the University of North Alabama, located in Florence, Alabama, Liberty University located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Walden University 100% online learning, Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, Seneca College in Toronto, Canada, and Mount Allison in Sackville, Canada.
Knowles-Thompson added that each member will receive a free application, which will save them $100 in fees.
Scholarships academic, subject matter, athletic, music, and band scholarships with housing and insurance scholarships will be a few on the list, according to Knowles-Thompson.
“It is truly my pleasure to be the conduit that connects this vibrant body with so many affordable, accredited, respected, higher learning institutions,” she said.
