A History of Creative Content

A History of the Learning Resources Section

 

Officially opened on January 10, 1977, by then Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Arthur D. Hanna and Minister of Education Mr. Livingston Coakley, the Learning Resources Section (LRS) was established as a support arm of the Ministry of Education.

 

​

Once a School for Schools

 

The building that occupies the Mackey Street location was constructed on a former gravesite called "See Me No More" by locals. These buildings once housed several high schools, namely: Eastern Senior, D.W. Davis Junior, C.I. Gibson, and L.W. Young, as well as several primary schools, including Thatchberry Primary, Palmdale Primary, and Stapledon School.

​

In 1952, Eastern Senior School was moved from Shirley Street to the building on Mackey Street (now LRS). In 1966, Eastern Senior was separated into two schools: Eastern Junior and Eastern Senior. Half of the staff and senior students were relocated to the new Marathon Estates School, Pyfrom Secondary, which was later renamed C.I. Gibson. The other half remained on Mackey Street, forming Eastern Junior.

​

Later, in 1968, those who remained at Eastern Junior were again separated into two schools. Eastern Junior was moved to Wilton Street and later renamed D.W. Davis. In 1969, the school that remained at the LRS location was renamed Palmdale Primary. Eventually, Palmdale Primary took occupancy of buildings constructed immediately behind the Mackey Street buildings, accessible through Madeira Street, Palmdale.

​

For a short time, Thatchberry Primary occupied the Mackey Street buildings. However, when Thatchberry Primary was closed, students and staff were moved to the new Uriah McPhee School.

​

In 1973, L.W. Young occupied the LRS location until their school facility was completed on Bernard Road.

​

 

Establishment of the Learning Resources Section

 

In the 1970s, the Audio-Visual Department, led by Mr. Horace Wright, shared a building with the Department of Culture on Collins Avenue, in the space now occupied by Junior Achievement. The department was later relocated to the buildings on Mackey Street in 1976, leading to the official establishment of the Learning Resources Unit in 1977.

​

Several teachers, who were trained in Resource Center Development in Australia in 1975, joined the LRS team to form the Curriculum Planning Unit under the direction of Miss Edna Russell.

​

LRS administrators have included: Gladys Brown (SEO), Edna Russell (ADE), Nellie Brennen (ADE), Curlene Fernander (Librarian), Marie A.G. Taylor (ADE), Evie Rolle (SEO), Wenley Fowler (ADE), Althea Hamilton–Grant (ADE), and, as of 2023, Liesl Wright (ADE).

​

​

Units and Mandates

 

The core responsibilities of LRS have remained largely unchanged since its inception, although the section continues to evolve to meet the demands of the changing educational landscape. The primary goal of LRS remains the production of indigenous multimedia resources to support instruction.

In the past, the Learning Resources Section housed six units:

​

• Educational Broadcasting

• Distance Education

• The Bahamas Learning Channel

• Lower Primary Division

• The Writing Unit

• The Teachers’ Media Library

 

Today, the Learning Resources Section consists of three units, each with specific mandates, programs, and responsibilities:

​

• Teachers’ Media Center (TMC): Formerly the Teachers’ Media Library, TMC assists educators with the production and publication of physical learning resources, including charts, posters, banners, worksheets, and books.

 

• Distance Education Unit: As of January 2025, the Distance Education Unit comprises Home School Bahamas and The Bahamas Virtual School. This unit aims to expand access to education by supporting alternative learning delivery methods for students, including those in remote areas, homeschoolers, and students with special needs or health conditions.

​​

• Multi Media Unit: This unit supports the curriculum by developing training programs in media creation, including video and audio production, learning resource development, and visual resource production for educators and the public. The unit also provides oversight for the creation of various resources, such as books, worksheets, websites, and digital assets, ensuring they are inclusive and accessible.

​​

Today, more than ever, the Learning Resources Section remains committed to innovation and forward-thinking strategies that enhance education in an ever-changing world.