Education, Science & Technology Minister Jerome Fitzgerald joins us to talk about the expected impact of budget cuts on education, and specifically on the College of The Bahamas. We also talk about other challenges in education. And Mr. Fitzgerald gives an interesting response to our question about whether cabinet ministers – especially the Education Minister – should be mandated to send their children to public schools.

Plus, we discuss the importance of professional development and continuing education programs for educators. Guests Dr. Jill Farrell, Assistant Dean of Education at Barry University, and Stephen McPhee, Secretary General with the Bahamas Union of Teachers.

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Why is the government moving toward a VAT system, and why as soon as July 2014? We put those questions and more – including questions about the government’s proposed budget cuts – to Michael Halkitis, State Minister of Finance.

We also discuss the latest development with the College of The Bahamas, and the concerns about the Urban Renewal 2.0 program.

Be sure to follow us on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

We get into a heated discussion with Athama Bowe – Chairman of the Bahamas Films & Plays Control Board – on the ratings and censorship of movies and plays in The Bahamas. Bowe also tells us of future plans to rate and regulate all forms of public entertainment in the country!

Also, we discuss the “shocking revelations” – as per Franklyn Wilson, lead negotiator of the government’s BTC take-back committee – regarding the telecommunication company’s sale to CWC. And we discuss the latest in the College of The Bahamas budget-cut saga.
Be sure to follow us on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

In the face of impending government budget cuts, College of The Bahamas is considering raising tuition fees by $25 per credit per year for the next two years. Ernesto Williams, President, COB Union of Students (COBUS), does not like that idea, to say the least.

We also discuss job creation, and the apparent new hot-button issue in the country, same-sex marriage.

And 70s Music Week continues!

Be sure to follow us on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

With the spotlight on the Bahamas Maritime Authority – which will lead the investigation into the cause of last week’s fire on the Bahamian-registered Carnival Triumph cruise ship – we discuss the work of the Authority with Dudley Martinborough, a BMA board member. Martinborough, who is also the coordinator of the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corp Program, talks about the many opportunities for young Bahamians looking for careers in the maritime industry, and introduces us to two Bahamians who’ve been traveling the world onboard various ships, Kristie Charlton, 3rd Mate, and Kivarlo Smith, Boatswain.

We also discuss recent comments from Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett, who says it’s time for The Bahamas to move away from the Privy Council as the final court of appeal, and that the country should soon expect to have to address the same-sex marriage issue.

And 70s Music Week begins!

Be sure to follow us on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.