Chapter 8: Empowering Yourself with Knowledge (History and Politics)
Part 4: Comprehension Skills for Transformation
VIII. Empowering Yourself with Knowledge (History and Politics)
This chapter marks a very essential aspect of comprehension as it seeks to promote crucial transformation skills for learning. The purpose of explicitly including transformation as a comprehension skill and strategy is to embed through practice the importance of comprehension as self-empowerment through knowledge of your country, its significant events and support systems. With that said, you will find all nine of the passages presented here characteristic of our Bahamian pride, our Bahamian heritage and our efforts to preserve our Bahamianness. With the theme of transformation underpinning this chapter you are challenged to reflect on what it truly means to you to be Bahamian from your absorption of the knowledge and culture to which your Bahamian identity is inextricably linked.
Chapter 8
1973 Independence Open matching workbook questions
There is no better time to celebrate the birthday of The Bahamas than on Independence Day. Although The Bahamas is still relatively young in its development, it has made tremendous strides since its independence in 1973. Yet, the significance of that momentous occasion must always be remembered. At the first Independence Day celebrations, the Union Jack was lowered and its replacement, the Bahamian flag in all its black, gold and aquamarine splendor flew high for all to see. Proud Bahamians clapped and cheered as Sir Lynden Pindling, Sir Milo Butler and other men of prominence during that time spoke to crowds of thousands of proud Bahamians. This was a watershed moment in the annals of Bahamian history. For the first time, The Bahamas would be able to sing its own national anthem, fly its own flag, operate under its own constitution, while being recognized as a new nation, no longer under British rule but governed by its own government.
Parliament Square Open matching workbook questions
When national events of major importance are held in The Bahamas, Parliament Square is normally the official meeting place. Throughout our country’s political history, many distinguished Bahamians have assembled in the Square to read the speech from the throne, prorogue the house and participate in other historical events. Parliament Square is home to many historical buildings, such as the House of Assembly, the Supreme Court and the Senate. To a large extent, this historical spot still maintains the archaic appeal of the colonial era. One particular feature of note is the statue of Queen Victoria, a well-known member of the monarch serving as a major attraction for local and out-of-town guests.
Civil Service Open matching workbook questions
No other employer in The Bahamas employs more workers than the Bahamian government. This is due in large part to its access to our countries vast resources. Employees of the Bahamian government are known as civil servants. Civil servants provide service to their country and are recipients of salaries from the department of Public Treasury. With Nassau being the capital of The Bahamas, it is home to many vital government ministries, namely, Ministry of Health, ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism and others. The Public service Commission has total decision-making power over all employment-related matters. Its powers include hiring, study leave, disciplinary action, job confirmation and more. Undoubtedly, working for the government is not without its challenges; however, many Bahamians take pride in serving the citizenry of The Bahamas.
From College of The Bahamas (COB) to University of The Bahamas (UB) Open matching workbook questions
After completing high school, many students matriculated at the College of The Bahamas (often referred to as COB), the once sole four-year tertiary institution here at home. Being a four-year college, COB only offered Associates and Bachelors degrees. Be that as it may, COB remains a Caribbean favourite among students, who enjoy living and studying at the institution.
Looking back at its early beginnings in 1974, COB has made significant progress that is worthy of adulation. Because of the intellectual brilliance, exemplary talent, foresight and vision of its faculty, the college was transformed into a university that embodies academic excellence since November 10, 2016. With the change in its status, the University of the Bahamas UB now offers Masters and doctoral programs to any student seeking to earn a university education.
Talk Show Fever Open matching workbook questions
Since 1992, the opening of the airwaves has ushered in a new era for media houses throughout the length and breadth of The Bahamas. As radio station after radio station joined the airwaves, competition ran rampant as media houses looked to gain a strong footing in the broadcasting field. As time passed, talk show after talk show inundated the Bahamian radio band with until daily discussions soon became the norm. Although the industry seemed rife with healthy competition, one station in particular was poised to do something that was never done before in the history of radio in The Bahamas. On April 10, 2012, Guardian Talk Radio was born. As part of its 7-day lineup, the guardian focuses its all-day talk show commentary on social and political issues, education and community concerns, sports and breakthroughs in the medical field along with a bevy of other provocative, intriguing topics.
From early morning to late at night, talk shows such as Morning Blend with )Dwight Strachan), On The Clock with Erin Greene, The Revolution with Juan Mccartney, Z Live with Zhivargo Laing, Bare Essentials with Hubert Edwards along with other talk radio favourites have become household breakfast, lunch and dinner appetizers that ignite stimulating, culturally relevant and casually entertaining conversations that keep the informed and not so informed listening audience tuned into the radio station. To add further excitement to Guardian radio talk, familiar voices, such as, Dave, Braymond, JT, Pauper, Pumpkin Eater, C Allen, fifty-two, dewitt, and others are known to keep talk show hosts on their toes, while listeners either laughed, cry, agree or disagree with their wisdom and insight on the issues of the day being discussed.
Value Added Tax (VAT) Open matching workbook questions
Value added Tax VAT is a form of taxation that helps to generate necessary funding for the Bahamian economy. Since January 2015, it was introduced under a Perry Christie (former Prime Minister) led Progressive Liberal Party government and unanimously passed by a majority vote in the House of Parliament. Initially, VAT was introduced at a 7.5% rate on every dollar spent. In July 2018, VAT was increased to 12% under a Hubert Minnis, (former Prime Minister), led Free National Movement government. In January 2022, under a Philip Brave Davis, (current Prime Minister), led Progressive Liberal Party government, VAT has been reduced to 10% on every dollar spent. It is important to understand that a form of taxation in every country is important as it helps to strengthen and to improve the economy. Additionally, taxation is essential to provide employment, build schools, improve health care, provide welfare and other services crucial to meeting the needs of all Bahamians.
The Political Triumvirate Open matching workbook questions
First came The Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham, then came the Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie, and now the Hon. Philip Brave Davis. Amazingly, the destinies of these three agents of change have been influenced by the late Sir Lynden Pindling, the father of our nation, and their parliamentary journeys are inextricably linked. Not only are these men friends, they were once law partners, Bahamian men with political ambitions and scholars of the law. Of course, when these three first began their peregrinations on the Bahamian landscape, none of them could have fathomed that crossing each other’s path would someday result in their significant contributions holding such historic importance to Bahamian public life. With that being said, the three of these extraordinary men have all served as Prime Ministers of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Undoubtedly, it is very unlikely that such a historic occurrence has happened anywhere else in the world, and it is probably unlikely to ever happen again.
National Insurance Board (NIB) Open matching workbook questions
National Insurance (often referred to as NIB) is one of the most significant national initiatives undertaken and established in The Bahamas. Since its early beginnings on December 12, 1972, NIB has blossomed into the safety net our forefathers envisioned for The Bahamas so many years ago. To sustain its operations, NIB uses overseas investments and financial income from the salaries of Bahamians and legal residents of The Bahamas employed by The government and the private sector.
Super Value Open matching workbook questions
Since its establishment more than five decades ago, Super Value has become a major player in the goods and service industries throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. It sells everything you can imagine, such as, meats, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, personal care items, among other things. Because The Bahamas is not a major manufacturer of goods, Super Value imports the majority of its items from overseas and sells them here at home. Many Bahamians who live on the surrounding out islands come to Nassau to purchase their groceries and ship them back to the islands on mailboats.
Due to the inflation resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, prices on food items at local Super Value outlets has soared by leaps and bounds, this is due to increasing shipping cost, gasoline prices along with all of the other crippling blows felt by the global chain of events over the past two plus years.
IX. Preparing Yourself to Become an Advocate (Awareness and Advocacy)
Understanding your role as an advocate and the part you must play in helping to create a good society that respects and protects the rights of its citizens should be the duty of all of its people. Unfortunately, achieving this end is not an easy task. Without question, recognizing the need for ongoing awareness and advocacy must remain a top priority in our country. In this chapter, you will learn about aspects of human rights and privileges that must not go unnoticed in order to preserve human dignity and worth. While you read the 9 passages in this section, you need to pay careful attention to the accommodation needs, existing challenges and clarion calls of Bahamians with disabilities. When you answer the questions, consider how you can make a difference in the lives of such persons who can make their capable contributions to our Bahamian society once afforded the same opportunities as their able-bodied counterparts.