New High School History Textbook Developed with Key Input from UB Scholars

2^nd May 2025

New High School History Textbook Developed with Key Input from UB Scholars

Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — University of The Bahamas (UB) faculty and staff were part of the multifaceted group of scholars, researchers, historians, cultural proponents, and creatives who produced a new history text book for high schools in The Bahamas, a Ministry of Education and Technical & Vocational Training project.

The textbook, “Towards a Common Loftier Goal” was launched during a ceremony held at historic Southern Recreation Grounds in Nassau on 29^th April as part of activities commemorating the 60^th anniversary of Black Tuesday in The Bahamas. The book is a key feature of the history curriculum for public secondary schools, newly revised after a long 43 years.

The 12 Bahamian authors, included two UB faculty: Dr. Olivia Saunders and Dr. Ian Strachan; former senior administrator, the late Patricia Glinton-Meicholas; adjunct faculty Dr. Lisa Lawlor-Feller; and UB alumna, Mrs. Nameiko Miller. The expanded team includes Dr. Christopher Curry, Associate Professor and Head of UB’s Department of History, Religion, and Philosophy, who along with Ms. Pearline Baker led the steering committee on project development. Additionally, UB’s AVP for Communications Mrs. Tameka Lundy served as copy editor; Dr. Michael Pateman, a UB alum, reviewed for accuracy and scholarly rigour; and UB Senate Chair, Dr. Nicolette Bethel assessed the text to align tone, balance and general accuracy.

“I had personally dreamt of a day where we as a nation could celebrate the launch of a history text that is both comprehensive in scope and content yet relatable, engaging, enriching, stimulating and student friendly,” said Dr. Curry. “It is a text written by Bahamians for Bahamians and it offers both young and old an opportunity to travel through the portals of the past and discover who we are as a people.”

The book is a significant contribution to Bahamian historiography and offers a bold reassessment of neglected aspects of the nation’s past. It challenges long-held narratives by centering marginalized voices, revisiting pivotal historical moments with fresh insight, and extending coverage into the post-independence era.

Prime Minister Davis added, “This is personal for me. It’s about telling the story of my people, your people, all of us fully, proudly, unapologetically. A project like this does not happen by accident. It takes vision, discipline, scholarship, and heart.”

The textbook features historic information and illustrations from the period of African Slavery to the modern Bahamas, and also addresses important historiographical gaps that had been ignored for far too long, according to Dr. Curry. There is a reassessment of colonial rule and the role of Woodes Rogers and early colonial governors. It also has new historical insights on the period of piracy and examines the notable presence of black pirates. The arrival of loyalists in 1783 is also reassessed based on recent scholarship, giving greater attention to black loyalists and challenging traditional narratives about the contribution of white loyalists.

Within the textbook is an entire chapter on the Family Islands written by the late Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, which is intended to reshape the reader’s views about the archipelago while highlighting the tremendously rich history found in the Family Islands. The text fills an important gap by providing comprehensive coverage of the post-independence period.

“The history curriculum, as you’ve heard, had to be updated and modernized for the first time unbelievably in 43 years,” said Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training Glenys Hanna Martin. “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.”

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University of The Bahamas

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Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365

Chartered on 10th November 2016, University of The Bahamas (UB) is a beacon for national transformation. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the University of The Bahamas system which includes campuses and centres on New Providence, Grand Bahama, San Salvador and Abaco, as well as UB online education. UB’s diverse academic programmes, research engagements, athletics and leadership development experiences equip our students to become global citizens in a dynamic world.