Top things to know
- Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper will donate his $28,000 annual parliamentary salary to the BEST Foundation.
- The funds will support educational programs and scholarships for students in Exuma, Ragged Island, and the wider Bahamas.
- The BEST Foundation is an independent non-profit launched by the government and managed by a private sector-led board.
- The foundation has raised $500,000 in pledges since its launch last week.
- Cooper called on corporate leaders and individuals to contribute to the education initiative.
Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Exuma and Ragged Island, Chester Cooper, has announced his intention to donate his annual parliamentary salary of $28,000 to the Bahamas Education, Science and Technology (BEST) Foundation. The contribution is intended to support educational programs and scholarships for students in his constituency and the wider Bahamas.
Cooper, who took over the portfolio for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in May, said he has previously donated his salary to various community initiatives in Exuma, including environment, healthcare, and sports infrastructure. He stated that this year’s contribution is directed specifically toward education to help expand opportunities for young people. The BEST Foundation, an independent non-profit organization launched by the government last week and managed by a private sector-led board, has raised $500,000 in pledges. Cooper called on corporate leaders and individuals to contribute to the initiative, emphasizing that investing in children is a shared national priority.