Nassau, The Bahamas, December 11, 2024 – Colina Insurance Limited (Colina) proudly donated over 350 copies of Volumes 2 and 3 “I Say What I Mean and I Mean What I Say: Hubert A. Ingraham In His Own Words” to the Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training.

Education is one of Colina’s philanthropic priorities, as demonstrated by past donations, including previous gifts to all public high schools, the Department of Archives, and public libraries of Volume 1. With the release of Volumes 2 and 3, it was essential for Colina to continue its commitment to sharing the wealth of knowledge presented in these subsequent volumes.

“At Colina, we are committed to health, wellness, youth development and education and believe that knowledge is power and that it is fundamental to the growth of our society,” explained Maxine V. Seymour Director of Corporate Communications. “We are proud to continue our support of the Ministry of Education and its mission to cultivate academic excellence and enrich the minds and lives of Bahamian citizens and residents.”

Teresa Butler, Executive Editor and Book Project Team Leader expressed immense gratitude to Colina for its part in preserving and sharing Bahamian history.

“I do not have the words to express my appreciation to Colina for making this presentation possible,” stressed Teresa. “I was never so thrilled when I discovered that Colina had a special dedication to making the history of The Bahamas and development of The Bahamas known far and wide and that they would help us get more volumes into our schools and public libraries.”

Colina believes that knowledge is power, and by providing students with an understanding of history, they will learn from the past to influence their future.

“We are very grateful for this gift for the children to know what happened in a period before they were of age to understand,” said Mrs. Lorraine Symonette-Armbrister, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training.

Colina is proud to be Bahamian and is deeply committed to preserving the nation’s history.

About Colina Insurance Limited (Colina)

Colina is a diversified financial services company, offering comprehensive life and health insurance solutions. Colina is wholly-owned by Colina Holdings Bahamas Limited (CHBL). CHBL is a Bahamian Company, built on a firm foundation of trust, integrity and responsibility. Colina has evolved over the past century to become The Bahamas’ largest life and health insurer, with a solid reputation for providing insurance and related financial services products that help clients prepare for life’s unexpected events.

About the Ministry of Education & Vocal & Technical Training

In sixty years, The Bahamas has made significant progress in its education system. In 1950, primary schools were overcrowded and lacked resources, with students using slates instead of books. Recognising these issues, educators and the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) called for reforms, leading to the creation of reports like the Houghton, Hope, Leys, and others, which guided educational policy. Following Majority Rule, the government focused on providing universal access to education, particularly secondary education. The abolition of the Common Entrance Examination and expansion of public schools increased access, and by the 1980s, The Bahamas achieved near-universal secondary education. In 1996, the Education Act made school attendance mandatory for children aged 5 to 16, marking a major milestone in the country’s education development.

About the Department of Archives

The Department of Archives was established by an Act of Parliament in 1971. It is the final repository for permanent records and archives of the government. The Chief Justice is the legal head of the department. However, administratively the office is under the Ministry of Education. Daily management and control is performed by the Director of Archives. The Department of Archives accepts on permanent deposit records of enduring value which have been created in the course of the conduct of affairs of any kind, public or private. Most records on deposit originated in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Government of The Bahamas. However, the department also holds deposits of private archives including family, business and ecclesiastical record. The Department of Archives services firstly, the government by preserving and making available records which are essential for the effective administration of public business. Secondly, it services the public which uses the records for a variety of reasons. Each year the department receives many inquiries by mail and telephone. However, most researchers visit the Archives and undertake their own research.

About the National Library and Information Services

Libraries began in The Bahamas in the early 19th century. The call for libraries came as early as 1804, as populations increased following the Loyalists influx of the 1800s. The first libraries in existence today were started over one hundred fifty (150) years. The Nassau Public Library was established in 1837 and its Act was passed in 1847. National Library and Information Services was established in the late 20th century. On March 10th 2009, the new National Library and Information Services Authority Act was passed merging the older board-operated libraries in New Providence and those on the Family Islands into one National Library Services System. National Library and Information Services’ main aim is to unite over 60 branches of libraries in New Providence and the Family Islands into one modern, automated system, offering quality, standardized services in all islands.