CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Speech by Jose Luis Ponce, Ambassador of Republic of Cuba in Bahamas. August 18, 2010 

Today is an important day in the history of the bilateral relations between Bahamian and Cuban Peoples. With us, there are 21 Cuban teachers who will begin working in the Bahamian public schools in a few days, according to the Educational Collaboration Agreement signed recently by the Ministry of Education of the Bahamas and the Latin American and Caribbean Pedagogical Institute of Cuba.

The first Collaboration Agreement was signed in August 2003 by the Ministry of Education of Cuba and the Ministry of Education of the Bahamas. Under that agreement, 79 of our best specialists have worked in the Bahamas for periods from two to four years, teaching 14 specialties in 25 Government schools of all levels of education (Primary, Senior and High schools). About three thousand students have benefited from their work, which have been praised in several opportunities by the Bahamian authorities, by the students themselves and by their parents.

Since Bahamas got its independence as a nation in 1973 up to day, collaboration between our countries has increased under the principle of mutual respect, equality and consideration. The Bahamian People know the friendly disposition of The Cuban Government to help brotherly nations, especially, neighboring Caribbean countries unified by similar traditions, cultures and ways of thinking. The Government and the people of the Bahamas can count on our support for as long as they need it.
Dear Teachers,
You have the responsibility to maintain a tradition of excellence. Always remember that you are trained under humanistic principles. You represent the solidarity, the value of the Cuban Educational System and respect to human condition. In this regard, I urge you to comply with your duties with the same determination than the Cuban People builds its future, in spite of the genocidal blockade imposed to us by a very powerful enemy for more than 50 years.  Your mission is to teach following the best traditions of your profession in our countries and beyond their borders. I am sure you will be able to overcome every obstacle no matter how big they will be.  

We hope that this exchange will contribute to build the present and the future of hundreds of children and young people throughout the Bahamas.  It will allow you to enjoy a beautiful country, you will reach higher abilities in English and you will have the opportunity to experience the rich Bahamian culture. Bahamian music, dance and people are very nice, and because of that have a well deserved fame.

Dear Director of Education, the Cuban teachers are at your service to fulfill the sacred duty of humbly contributing to educate children and young people of this country to serve the best ideals of peace, love and fraternity among all men and women around the World.  “Education is not a privilege for a few; it is a right and a duty of all men” and women. On behalf of the Cuban People, thank you for trusting us and for making possible the further development of our brotherhood and friendship.

Thank you and welcome once again.  

(Cubaminrex – Embacuba Bahamas)