Ministry: Schools Will Open On Friday, April 17

February 25, 2015

The Ministry of Education today [Feb 25] confirmed that all public schools will be open on Friday, April 17th, the date that was previously designated as a school holiday to mark the Agriculture Exhibition.

A spokesperson said, “In the recent Budget presentation, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Everard T. Richards, JP, MP informed the House that in an effort to meet targets, one of the adjustments made to the budget included ‘suspending the Agricultural Exhibition for one year’.

“Consequently, the Ministry of Education is advising all parents that public schools will be operating during regular school hours on Friday, April 17th 2015.”

Acting Commissioner of Education, Dr Llewellyn Simmons stated in a letter to school principals, “The 2014/15 school academic year has witnessed numerous disruptions to the school calendar due to hurricanes and industrial action.

“The additional school day will support our efforts to maximize the remainder of the school year with quality time in the classroom,” Dr. Simmons added.

Jeff Sousa recently said that the Ag Show will take place on April 16th, 17th and 18th, with the “community driven effort put on for the community and supported by the community.”

click here banner education

Read More About

Category: All, News

Comments (47)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. sorry, what? says:

    so is the show canceled or not?

    • Gazza says:

      The show is on however it is not the Government who are doing it this year

    • Just sayin says:

      No!!! It’s is going to be put on by volunteers. It is not going to be a govt sponsored event

      • Fact Finder says:

        I understand that the show will be put on it a someone limited capacity by volunteers and no assistance from Government Departments. They have 8 weeks to put the show on for our kids.

        They need volunteers to put on a good / safe show for the kids. there are a lot of people out of work right now.

        If you have ever been to the show or have kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews that have ever been to the AG Show, PLEASE put your personal and political feelings aside and give back.

        I would like to see the PLP and OBA leaders both step up and work together on this one. You can politic later and get back to arguing after the show.

        • Mockingjay says:

          This is a good time to educate our children on Social Studies, not what is taught in school.
          Its amazing how we turn a political strategy into a social Kumbaya, and I refuse to put this aside knowing that the intent of this fiasco is a form of Privatization.
          I will explain it to my younger generation just like I explained to them during Christmas why they did not need unnecessary gifts.
          I showed them how much I had to pay for bills, then I showed them how much I make and then I showed them how much the gifts cost that they WANTED (not needed) and I came to the conclusion that it was not feasible to get things that they did not need compared to electricity, groceries, etc.
          So I will explain to them about the Political decision that has taken place as to why they will be in school on Friday and why it will not be as exciting as the past IF they go.
          I encourage Parents/Guardians to educate your young ones about the current events, they understand because as much as it is effecting us, soon they will be directly experiencing it.
          PS
          And for our fashion trend youth who find it as a social meeting place let them recycle their clothes if they can still fit in them instead of going town and spending unnecessarily to look good.
          It’s time to buckle down and pay attention.

        • Mockingjay says:

          Friends and Family.

        • Obvious says:

          I wonder how many teachers would volunteer their time that day since school is out?

          My guess – not even 50%.

          Pretty sure this would relieve a lot of labour for the ag show…

          • Mockingjay says:

            School will be in Friday.

          • Fed Up says:

            What is so frustrating for teachers is that people who are so unaware, uncaring and uninformed make such rash and ignorant statements. A typical teacher comes to school between 7:45 and 8:20 every day, teachers teach on their lunch breaks (unpaid), afterschool (unpaid) and even give up their weekends for struggling student (yes many times unpaid). If you take a look in many teachers’ desk you will see snacks (yup brought for students who may not have), combs and brushes for hair that doesn’t get combed and we buy and give our own children’s clothes for those in need. It is with this in mind that we as teachers feel the slanderous, malicious unwarranted criticism very distasteful coming from those who work a 9-5, get paid overtime and are not deducted furlough days. During breaks, we are mandated to attend professional development workshops, or we are busy marking papers, putting in grades or planning which can take days. Leading up to the exhibition we are busy not only teaching, but broadening our students horizons through hands on activites to particpate in the exhibition to to produce well rounded young people. So the next time you uneducated, stereotypical hypocrites make such statements… educate yourself first.

            • Don't just show up, be there ... says:

              I feel you Fed Up … you give much of your time, perhaps ALL Non-Furlough workers can take a vacation day or two and VOLUNTEER their time so the AgShow can run to the complaining lots desire. Why expect it of the Teachers, especially as they’ll be working – fullish Ness!!

          • Regina says:

            OMG, did you not read the article? Or even the title? School is NOT out…that’s the whole reason for the article.

  2. Vote for Me says:

    We are definitely on a collision course.

    Government cancelled the AG Show to save $400k. The community seems to be rallying to ‘make it happen’. One of the major success factors is attendance of which children (and teachers) are a major component. Many attend because they submit entries for the show.

    Now we have government having school in on the Friday which will cause a major disruption in attendance.

    We have to find a sensible balance in all of this!!

    • Just sayin says:

      The teachers can take their class to show Friday and make it an education project.

    • RJ says:

      Who says it has to be Thursday and Friday? Why not just have the Ag Show on the weekend? And if the exhibition isn’t a success this year, no matter; the public isn’t footing the bill this time around.

      • stunned... says:

        agreed since this is a private event – why not change to Fridsy, Saturday with esrly wrap up on Sunday afternoon. i for one would be able to attend/volunteer.

        • Fact Finder says:

          I like that idea.

        • Self says:

          Makes perfect sense. Friday, Saturday and Sunday would be good. The people that work 9-5 days will get have a better opportunity to attend. I’m sure if it’s on a Sunday, lots of folk will go after church. I’m actually old enough to remember when people wore their Sunday best to the Ag show LOL…

  3. Um.... says:

    Would be nice if we could all justl get on the same page for once.

  4. Gazza says:

    I would rather see the children receive an education. They have missed enough days from school. The show could be on a Fri/Sat/Sun instead thereby still giving 2 days for children to attend

  5. Terry says:

    Leave politics out of it.

    The Children are in school.

    Big deal.

    Children first.

    A day off matters none. They have the whole summer off.

    Saturday should be a blast and will keep volunteers very busy.

    Bitch moan.

    Bermuda.

    Shalom.

  6. Smh says:

    I understand the controversy over the AG show, but what gets me is the explanation given for making schools open on that day. “Due to hurricanes and industrial action…” ???? REALLY?

    If keeping schools open on this day is a pre-emptive measure for people rallying to KEEP the AG show running, then say so! But don’t act like it’s just a coincidence that THIS was the day selected to “maximize the remainder of the school year.” Either it’s a punishment or a budget adjustment or a way to make up for lost time – be straightforward about it. Clearly nobody here is willing to compromise for the children .

    • Ed Case says:

      You clearly don’t understand very much do you? And you expect to be guaranteed a job?

      The day has to be made up because of days missed due to the reasons they quoted. The school curriculum falls behind when days are missed. They are npot made up by magic.

      Did you go to school?

      • SMH says:

        yeah. Right. This is due to pressure from the unions who claim Government knowingly privatized the Ag Show.

  7. Betty Dump says:

    The Ag show is an educational experience. True, many students go there for just the social aspect, however there is much to be learned at the Ag show. Isn’t getting outside, learning about nature and animals, and becoming a well rounded individual just as important as sitting in a classroom hearing lectures all day? We place so much value on the “classroom experience”, but education goes well beyond the four walls of the classroom. I do not agree with this decision at all and I feel it is a travesty to all the young people who work so hard and put so much effort into making the show a success!

  8. Joonya says:

    This article would not even exist if de “you know who” hadnt spent all de money. Should’ve listened to Bob back then.. now ya gonna have to.

  9. wwatcher says:

    So lets make the AG show on just the Saturday will minimize disruptions to everyone involved including the St. Johns and Police who have to provide coverage.

  10. SMH says:

    What kills me is that many of the same parents/people complaining that the kids won’t be out of school for the Ag Show will be the same ones complaining that they have nobody to watch their kids that day. I am a teacher and I am glad they will be in school. We lost days for hurricanes etc. and we could use the day. The kids can go on the Saturday…it is just another reason for ppl to complain. If it was not on, ppl would complain…it is on and ppl complain…there is NO pleasing some ppl lol. It is ON ppl…enjoy it and stop complaining!

    • SMHx10 says:

      Note:this is a diff SMH from the person who made a comment earlier lol..CLEARLY…

    • Self says:

      I don’t know about “ppl” complaining they won’t have somebody to watch their kids. I think parents pretty much factor it in like any other school break.

  11. stunned... says:

    non-issue – hope AG show set on Saturday and Sunday
    interested children can attend the AG show either on saturday and on sunday with their families after Church and sunday lunch.

    plus SDA members will be able to attend on Sunday…win-win

  12. Jenny says:

    Well they will have all the private school kids on the Friday at the very least as they probably won’t follow suit

    • Karma says:

      Because none of the private schools had teachers out for industrial action.

      • Mockingjay says:

        Kinda goes with the demographics, whenever there has been Industrial action in Bermuda’s History, the picture speaks for itself.

  13. CBAcademy says:

    Sooooooooooooooo. Why is there still school?

    • Family Man says:

      I think you’ve answered your own question. You’ll find the ability to read, write and communicate very helpful in later life.

  14. Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

    history, traditions and cultures are now a thing of the past…Welcome to the New World Order…enjoy your demise.

  15. Parent says:

    So kids will skip school anyway ??!! And a lot of kids take part in the show performing acts Dances , horse show etc mercy

  16. RS says:

    Politicians should volunteer! That would great to see in our community..

  17. Xaxa says:

    For non-educators out there, there is a mandatory minimum of teaching days in all jurisdictions. There has been unprecedented disruption to the school year; furlough days, back to back hurricanes, industrial action. The public schools are probably skimming very close to the minimum, if they have not missed it completely. I too would love for ALL the kids to be there Friday, but they do have to make up the days somehow. Poor kids!

    • Karma says:

      I look at it kind of like the US does with snow days…they can either give this day up or add the days previously lost to the end of the summer term. In other words, the kids get out for summer x number of days missed for storms/industrial action…