System of governance in the Bahamas – World Countries for Kids

Constitutional framework

The constitution of The Bahamas, embraced upon independence in 1973, is based on the Westminster model—i.e., that of the UK. The bicameral parliament consists of the House of Assembly and the Senate, whose powers are restricted in comparison to those of the House. The formal head of state is still the British monarch, who is represented by a governor-general. Prime minister is the head of government. He is formally appointed by the governor-general. The prime minister needs to be a member of the House of Assembly commanding a majority of its votes. House members are elected via universal adult suffrage; the members of the Senate are appointees of the governor. Parliament has a five year term, but elections may be held sooner if the PM fails to retain a majority in the House or dissolves the House. Judicial power on the islands rests in the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and magistrates’ courts, with the final court of appeal being the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom.

Political process

All Bahamian citizens 18 years and older have the right to vote. Bahamians, women in particular, largely remained unpoliticized until the early 1950s. Women did not get the franchise until 1962. Great changes also happened due to increased educational opportunities after the 1960s. The first female MP (Member of parliamengt) was elected in 1982. There have been female legislators, cabinet ministers, and Supreme Court justices. The key political parties are the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM), which grew out of the PLP.

Education

Schooling is mandatory from age 5 to 16 and is free in government schools. Majority of schools are government-run, but private and denominational institutions are also present. More than nine-tenths of the populace is literate.

The College of The Bahamas, set-up in 1974 in Nassau, offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in most areas and master’s degrees in a limited number of subjects. It also offers programs in combination with other universities, including the Florida International University, the University of the West Indies, and the University of Miami.

Other higher-level institutions include a hotel training school sponsored by the hotel industry and the government and the Bahamas Law School of the University of the West Indies.

Health and welfare

Bahamians are quite free of debilitating diseasesand malnutrition, and medical problems among children are mostly those involving common infections. Growing alcohol and drug abuse, obesity, and HIV/AIDS have become concerns, and care for the aged is a rising problem. Life expectancy improved greatly in the second half of the 20th century and is comparable to that of neighbouring Caribbean countries.