The Bahamas is emerging as a regional leader in digital transformation in education, driven by a strong national commitment to improving digital literacy and modernizing learning systems. Key initiatives include the establishment of a Digital Transformation Unit and strategic partnerships with the University of The Bahamas and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. Through these efforts, particularly the DigiLearn initiative, the country aims to expand digital skills for all citizens, although challenges around access to devices and reliable connectivity persist across the Family Islands.
A major milestone in this journey is The Bahamas becoming the first Caribbean nation to pilot the Edutec Guide hosted on IDBCloud4LAC. This innovative, data-driven tool supports schools in assessing and strengthening the integration of digital technologies in teaching and learning. The pilot forms part of the Inter-American Development Bank’s broader regional strategy to reduce learning gaps, build teacher capacity, and support evidence-based digital transformation in education systems.
The Edutec Guide focuses on understanding teachers’ digital competencies and schools’ readiness through a formative self-assessment approach that values educators’ perspectives and classroom experience. During a three-day workshop, the Ministry of Education and the IDB engaged school leaders and teachers from across the country, many of whom were participating for the first time in a structured national dialogue on digital readiness. Participants used the tool to assess their skills, discuss system-wide challenges, and experiment with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to support lesson planning and digital citizenship.
The pilot results highlighted a solid foundation of digital practice among teachers, alongside a clear appetite for more targeted professional development. Educators recognized that digital proficiency goes beyond daily technology use and requires critical, purposeful integration to enhance learning outcomes. For many participants, the experience also revealed how tools like AI can complement creativity and promote more inclusive and innovative teaching approaches.
Building on the success of the pilot, the Ministry of Education plans to roll out a nationwide digital skills assessment reaching more than 3,000 educators. The insights gathered will guide the design of a comprehensive, locally relevant teacher development programme and inform school-level innovation strategies. With continued support from the IDB, the Edutec Guide is set for national rollout in 2025–2026, positioning teachers and school leaders at the center of the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Overall, The Bahamas’ experience demonstrates how listening to educators, grounding reforms in data, and investing in local capacity can translate pilot initiatives into scalable national strategies. As the country expands digital learning and teacher training, its approach offers a practical model for other Caribbean nations seeking to drive meaningful and inclusive digital transformation in education.
