Dame Jennifer: “Number of Posts Lost is 97″
[Updated] Minister of Education Dame Jennifer Smith spoke about reductions this morning [June 10] saying that the “total number of posts lost is 97.”
Dame Jennifer said, ” To be clear, persons affected include: para-professionals on one year contracts – a total of 30; persons who are unqualified and unregistered – a total of 12; a group of qualified and certified teachers on temporary assignment or on a one year contract – a total of 9 Bermudian teachers.”
“For information purposes, 20 posts have been eliminated at the Berkeley Institute and 26 posts at Cedarbridge Academy. The total number of posts lost is 97 out of a total of 130 para-professional and 1,241 teaching posts.”
Dame Jennifer went on to say, “When considering whether our students will be well served, I point to the teacher student ratio in our schools – at the PreSchool level it is 9:1, at the Primary level, it is 15:1, Middle School level, 17:1 and at the Senior level, 20:1. Clearly, classrooms will not be left bereft.”
Update 1:55pm: After originally saying the total was 96 losses, officials confirm that the total number is actually 97 and amended the statement to fix the typo.
Dame Jennifer’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, three months ago, during the Budget debate, I set out the focus and direction of the Ministry of Education for the forthcoming year.
I outlined the operational and procedural changes that had already been made to improve financial efficiency and I emphasised that everyone should understand that students are the sole reason for the existence of the Ministry.
As a reminder, Bermuda’s public school system has mandated class sizes, an enviable teacher/student ratio of 1 to 15; and the services of paraprofessionals. In light of the economic climate, it certainly makes sense to review staffing levels – something that I gave notice would be done.
Mr. Speaker, I also stated that the role, definition and placement of paraprofessionals would be reviewed to ensure appropriate utilisation.
So far, it appears that we have more para-professionals than required. Accordingly we gave notice – as required. Mr. Speaker, parents can rest assured that we will continue to meet identified needs.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry’s adherence to its Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Bermuda Union of Teachers should hardly be cause for alarm – nor should it be used to play politics.
The decision announced affects teachers, para-professionals and educational therapist assistants whose contracts expire this term; or who are not qualified and/or not registered with the Bermuda Educators Council; a total of 12 teachers and 30 para-professionals and educational therapist assistants are affected.
Some have questioned the decision to release these individuals, but I remind members that the Bermuda Educators Council Act 2002 Section (4) (1) states that: “…..a person shall not take up any employment as an educator unless he is registered under this Act.”
The Act further states that – “a person is a qualified educator – (a) where such person is a teacher, or a principal of a school, if – (i) he holds a university degree or equivalent qualification granted by an institution recognized by the Council; and (ii) he has successfully completed a course of initial training for teachers in schools at an institution recognized by the Council.
And – (b) “where such person is a para-professional, if – (i) he holds an associate degree or equivalent qualification granted by an institution recognized by the Council; and (ii) he has successfully completed a course of training appropriate for para-professionals at an institution recognized by the Council.
Mr. Speaker, not only is this a matter of law, but imagine what would have been said if we condoned putting unqualified persons in our classrooms.
This might be an appropriate point to inform Members that – of course – there is a procedure for unqualified persons to qualify to be considered for employment in our schools.
In addition, Section 5 (1) of the Bermuda Educators Act establishes that “The Minister acting on the advice of the Exemption Committee, on being satisfied that there is a need in schools in Bermuda for persons who possess knowledge of, and skills in, particular subjects taught at schools, may by order exempt….. – (a) a specified person; or (b) persons falling within specified classes; who possess such knowledge and skills.
So there is an avenue – if needed – for Principals to make application on behalf of any individual in their school with a particular skill that is required in that school, to the Exemption Committee, who then make a recommendation to the Minister.
In such cases, the Minister is guided by the advice of the Exemption Committee.
Mr. Speaker, during the budget debate Members will have noted the reduced budgets for all schools.
In the case of Aided Schools, Principals work together with their Boards to meet agreed targets. Where necessary, the Ministry will work with schools to reassign qualified teachers to other vacancies within the system.
Mr. Speaker, you may wonder why I have painstakingly set out the legislative and collective bargaining framework for teachers and paraprofessionals once again.
I think it is important, in light of some of the alarmist and irresponsible statements that have been made recently, to acknowledge that the decisions taken in Education should not have come as a surprise – they were signalled in March.
To be clear, persons affected include:
- para-professionals on one year contracts – a total of 30;
- persons who are unqualified and unregistered – a total of 12;
- a group of qualified and certified teachers on temporary assignment or on a one year contract – a total of 9 Bermudian teachers.
For information purposes, twenty posts have been eliminated at the Berkeley Institute and twenty-six posts at Cedarbridge Academy.
The total number of posts lost is ninety-six out of a total of one-hundred and thirty para-professional and one thousand, two-hundred and forty-one teaching posts.
Mr. Speaker, when considering whether our students will be well served, I point to the teacher student ratio in our schools – at the PreSchool level it is nine to one, at the Primary level, it is fifteen to one, Middle School level, seventeen to one and at the Senior level, twenty to one.
Clearly, classrooms will not be left bereft.
Mr. Speaker, I must say ‘Thank You’ to all those who have expressed support for cuts within the Ministry of Education. I had previously given an undertaking to advise the public of these cuts by the end of June.
The education of our children is serious business and ensuring that the public maintains and gains confidence in our public system is equally important.
We remain unequivocal in our commitment to improving Bermuda’s educational system. The decisions we are making are to facilitate teaching and learning.
Yes, we can do more with less – the people in Education demonstrate this every day.
I wonder if the Head of the Civil Service will take the hint and start weeding out those highly paid unqualified individuals who continue to occupy certain positions in government.
100% correct!
I CONCUR! WEED THEM OUT!!
In the next General Election, Bermuda will have an opportunity to do some weeding out. But will they take the opportunity? I doubt it.
Yes, get rid of those politicians! Bermudians complain so much and do so little. If you can change some thing, change it BUT if you are willing to deal with the stupidity of Bermudian politicians, then deal with it and STOP COMPLAINING. Jennifer Smith didn’t do anything before when she was Premier or when she was in the position before. What makes you think she will be do any better now! Why cut teaching positions when the public schools are in such chaos. WE NEED TEACHERS more than we will ever need politicians. Think about it. The politicians are not losing their jobs. However, in the next election I hope we vote to make a change. When I was young, I clearly remember, a slogan that said, “SEND TO MESSAGE TO JACK”, well it is time to SEND A MESSAGE TO PAULA”. THIS GOVERNMENT IS A WASTE!!
And yes, I am a black Bermudian… just tired of the nonsense we call politics.
30+12+9+20+26=97 not 96. Did someone get rehired?
That makes me have a lot of faith in our government who cant even do simple math or check their data that they are releasing to the public….
An this is a minister how about the supervisors who can not read write or spell making thousands weekly to have someone else make them look good on paper!!
Probably taught by an unqualified math teacher…
Did you mean to ask…Did someone get fired? (i.e. for publicly humiliating the Education Minister)
30 paras
12 unqualified teachers
9 qualified Bermudian teachers
51 qualified non-Bermudian teachers
For a total of 96 posts
She referenced that 20 of the posts were from Berkeley and 26 were at CedarBridge.
We asked about the disparity, and the spokesperson said that was an error, and amended the total to 97.
How many at the Ministry lost their jobs?
Damn shame!! And they try to justify it with the ratio crap!! Don’t care how you look at it…10% of the island’s educators have been sacked at the same time!! I do have one question. Will any of these people be called on for sub. teaching????
For information purposes, what is the breakdown for the 46 personnel let go at Berkeley & Cedarbridge?
In the House this morning Dr Gibbons asked: “Would the Minister please breakdown the 20 posts that have been cut at the Berkeley Institute, and the 26 posts at CedarBridge, as to whats involved there. Who are those people?”
Dame Jennifer replied that “I will put that question” to the Boards of Berkeley and CedarBridge, and said she will let Dr Gibbons know when he can expect an answer.
If I know who was cut (and I’m overseas) then the Minister already knows which positions have been cut and I’m sure she has a list of names.
I bet you the Premier & the Education minister will be able to tell you HOW MUCH MONEY WAS SAVED, right down to the last penny. Desperate! It’s not about reform, it’s about $$$$$$$$$
This is nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
I have no clue what the 96 (97) make as a salary but you can bet your ass that the PLP will say something about how the deficet is being brought down.
Best thing that could happen is all those unemployed and needy apply to join the Regiment.
Irony is a bitch.
Regardless of the exact number (96 or 97), this is a proportionally high number for a sector to lose staff. Have there been cuts in other areas where there is substantial redundancies (parliament, tourism, infrastructure, TCD, etc)? What about programs for the needy – are they on the chopping block (hopefully not but more than likely)? How about cancelling a few building or upgrade projects that should be postponed until the economy recovers? Given the budgetary cutbacks necessary is this just the first wave of many? Surely, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Seems in their new positions, they seem to have forgotten about what their school mottos were. In your successess do not ever forget those that are aiming for theirs.
Yeah, they’ll do more with less – more harm than good.
try to stay positive please. I think of thos poor teachers who have family.
if she had to fire some teachers that were not registered according to the act, how did they get the job in the first place? Surely the person that hired them must be the one that needs firing!!!!!!
I will take this opportunity to share some interesting facts about the Ministry of Education and the lack of consideration or thereof that was given when making cuts. A number of qualified Bermudians who possessed post-secondary and post-graduate degrees entered into temporary contracts with the Ministry of Education as teachers. When the element of having certified teachers arised many of these contract teachers did not possess the relevant teaching certification that is required in order to teach. Recognizing this, these contract teachers were encouraged to enroll in the teacher’s certification programme offered at The Bermuda College. Most of which have enrolled.
What comes to mind is the story of a young, male Bermudian and fomer national and international football star who was vetted and hired in a capacity as a PE Teacher. Despite not having this qualification, and not given imho the requisite time to enroll in the teacher’s certification programme he was notified he would no longer be employed. Teachers, Parents and the like rallied together, formed a petition, had it signed and submitted to the MOE only to be rejected and denied. Parents and teachers were in disbelief. But the slap in the face only arrived when the new school year began, and this primary school (located in the western end of the island) under the direction of the MOE hired a FOREIGN PE TEACHER to replace the Bermudian. Since I am not at liberty to disclose names, it is beyond disheartening to know that the MOE and BUT couldn’t reach an amicable solution or programme that enables these Bermudians to keep their jobs/roles by marrying practicum hours (ie., working full-time and gaining the hands-on teaching experience) along with successful enrollment and moderated reports of their performance in this programme.
The Government of Bermuda employees a total of 3-5 Training Managers under the DHR/Training and you mean to tell me that these Training Mangers or the equaivalent couldn’t ensure that a suitable training programme was devised?? How do they expect these individuals to pay for their certification if they’re unemployed?
So, here’s even more simple math:
Employ a qualified foreign teacher at a starting salary of 55,000 – 65,000 pay the cost of his accommodation (average 1 bedroom apt 1800 – 2000) in addition to the cost of a termed working permit (1 year = 600+, 2 year = 1200+) VS
Hiring the Bermudian at a lower salary for the term or duration of their programme and offer to pay at least half for the certification programme of the individual!!
Monies frivolously wasted on Education Consultants who couldn’t recommend such a scheme!!
DISGUSTED to say the least!
How is it that “our” government sacks 97 teaching staff, without sacfrice of but one civil servant and simultaneously announces the loss of of some $10′s of millions on the new housing project. Do the math yourself and figure out the cost per unit. Think about where the difference has gone..? And we are cutting out educators for our children to pay for this?
I’ll be bloody damned!
If they got rid of 97 teachers at $50,000 each – they must be saving at least a million dollars. Thats good going PLP!!!
persons affected include:
“persons who are unqualified and unregistered – a total of 12″
Well why were they hired in the FIRST place???????????
People loosing their jobs by the people they voted for. Make sure you offer them a Cuppa Tea when they come aknocking at your door!
PLP is to STEP DOWN. What is wrong with Bermudians? Do you people enjoy others taking your money? Run these people out of Government. That is what they deserve.