Reclaiming The Narrative: New High School History Book Launched

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Southern Recreation Grounds transformed into a space of celebration and reflection as officials, educators, and students from across New Providence convened to witness the unveiling of the Ministry of Education’s latest academic tool – the first-ever high school history textbook written by all Bahamian authors.

From Majority Rule to constitutional advances, the book, titled Towards a Common Loftier Goal, provides a modern lens on the nation’s political, cultural, and social development. The launch fittingly coincided with the 60th anniversary of Black Tuesday.

Dr. Christopher Curry – Steering Committee, Towards a Common Loftier Goal

“The book addresses important historiographical gaps that have been ignored for far too long. It provides a reassessment of colonial rule and the role of Woods Rogers, and early colonial governors.”

The history book is a national project that was envisioned by Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin in December 2021, and the pages began to form in early January 2022.

Glenys Hanna-Martin – Minister, Education

“The history curriculum, as you’ve heard, had to be updated and modernized for the first time unbelievably in 43 years. It is my hope this text will cause our young people to have a deeper understanding of our history and the shaping of this collective space we call The Bahamas.”

Among the twelve Bahamians who wrote Towards a Common Loftier Goal were authors Christopher Davis and the late Patricia Glinton-Meicholas.

Christopher Davis – Author

“Still quite overwhelming for me, to just have contributed to this, particularly in my area of expertise, which is of course our African heritage and our culture and our connections to Africa, as well as ways that we fought against slavery and colonization.”

On hand to sign the first copy of the book was Prime Minister Philip Davis.

During his remarks, he said it’s time that Bahamian youth can read about a history written solely by Bahamians.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister

“With the launch of this new national history textbook, we reclaim our own narrative. We shape it with our own hands. We tell it from the depths of our own experience. This is more than a book. It is the voice of The Bahamas past, present, and future.”