Minister & Shadow Minister On Middle Schools
[Updated with PLP response] The Minister of Education and Economic Development, Dr Grant Gibbons has responded to statements made by Shadow Minister of Education, Lovitta Foggo regarding middle schools and the 2007 Review of Public Education in Bermuda.
Earlier this week, Ms. Foggo said, “In March, 2013 the PLP announced that, should it be returned to government, it will dismantle the failed middle school system and return to primary and secondary schools only.
“This is a recommendation advanced by Dr. Hopkins and a measure we believe will promote better alignment of the primary and senior curricula and will increase confidence in our public school system.
“This can also enhance positive peer pressure, as exposure to more senior student role models will exemplify the behaviours beneficial to school success for new students. We believe this will lead to improved performances for the age category of students currently in the middle schools,” added Ms. Foggo.
Dr. Gibbons stated, “Contrary to the statement made by the Ms. Foggo, the May 2007 Review of Public Education in Bermuda, commonly referred to as the ‘Hopkins Report’ does not recommend the dismantling of the middle schools.
“It is clearly stated in the Report that the Review Team believed that the most appropriate reform model for the Bermudian Education System was one based on ‘re-professionalization’ rather than ‘restructuring’ or some ‘market solutions’ such as vouchers. The Review Team further advised that the real issue in the Education System at that time was ‘the quality of teaching and learning’ in the classroom.
“The Hopkins Report goes on to say that, “…the move to the middle schools was a mistake but the Review Team believes that a structural response would only cause more confusion and instability and leave the real issue – the quality of teaching and learning – untouched.”
“The Department of Education recognizes the concerns raised by parents and the community at large regarding the middle schools, and as a result in-depth audits of the middle schools were conducted.
“Theses audits identified gaps and deficiencies in instruction and learning and resulted in targeted recommendations for both the Department of Education and Middle School leaders.
“To this end, the Department of Education has implemented a Middle School Transformation Plan for the 2014/2015 school academic year, comprising 10 high impact actions that will be carried out to improve overall student learning and teaching in the classroom over the next three years.
Dr. These actions included extensive investment in professional development for teachers and have been prioritized to support the overall System Improvement Plan that will include a focus on literacy and mathematics.”
Update 4.01pm: In response, Shadow Education Minister, Lovitta Foggo said, “Today’s comments by the Education Minister, the Hon. Dr. Grant Gibbons, are both uninformed and misguided regarding our middle school system.
“I have previously stated on the floor of the House of Assembly that Dr. Hopkins verbally stated that the middle school concept was a flawed model and that we should move away from it. For the Minister to suggest that I have misinformed the public is totally incorrect.
“Further to this, the Minister quoted in his statement today that, “the move to middle schools was a mistake” – a statement that I agree with! The Minister, in highlighting this statement, provides merit for my comment and for the PLP’s position to restructure.
“Dr. Gibbons is defending a broken system that is not producing the desired results. To this point, both governments have tried to make the system work. However, we must have a moment of consciousness when we realize that it is not working as we would like.
“It needs to be fixed for our children, and that is the real change that the PLP is offering. We have spent time and energy trying to repair what is broken – but if the foundation is not stable the building will not stand. We must fix the foundation.
“It is easy for Dr. Gibbons to play semantics, but in our opinion, he is not addressing the core issues with the system or how we will finally and consistently deliver a first class product from a flawed system.”
The whole Department of Education a farce. Its neither the structure of the education system or the people who implement it. The problem starts with the children and their home training. It would be hard to teach a child to tie their shoe laces if they do not wish to learn. This has been proven by the large amount of children graduating(high school) that are illiterate.
It is my opinion that funds from the education department should go into community services that will give children a better base, and inspire them to want to learn on their own. Given these gifts a child will flourish with any structure and any teacher.
Spoken like a true Ox, this is the kind of stupidity that help put us in the position we presently find ourselves.before you run your mouth do some serious research, the education system that we had prior to middle schools had more success stories then some of the crap we are experiencing now days.
When we had the British curriculum we had many Bermudians that left school with a good education or a strong basic education were they were able to make it in life, not withstanding that the methods of teaching has changed, but the fundamentals of the basic principles never change, so why the hell we still have children leaving senior schools at alarming rates not knowing the basic fundamentals of reading writing ans arithmetic.The real deal is that we had many so called under privilege folk that came out of school, but because of the basics that they did receive they were able to become craftsman and become very successful, so what was done was to stop them from becoming successful with the basic education.
so we have all the excuses in the world to why and how the young people of today does not learn at a level that they should be, and I am not talking of those young people that are doing just fine, but to the large number that is being pushed through the system, and then out onto the streets.
The system has failed, our parents are not altogether responsible, when they have to also live in a country who enslaves their own, were parents have to work more then any parents in all our history just to survive.
There is a lot to be said on this topic, but the bottom line is we had a system that worked better then the one we presently have, so I agree with Ms Foggo, regardless if the information is not fully understood. the bottom line is fix the damn system and stop passing the buck and letting these highly paid individuals get off with the crap they are doing to our future generations.
This I’d submitted yesterday:
Believe me, we learnt to / did respect them and somewhat emulated them.
Back in the days when we had schools like the former Bermuda Technical Institute we also had youngsters admitted at 12 years old while there had been others that were in their late teens. This had been for myself an influence, (as I’m sure for countless others) Some of the senior students were principals / head-boys or the school policemen to us that were at that time much youngster
Today we no-longer have that influence in our schools and just maybe it is time to reintroduce that form of teaching…It will not only improve the youngsters capabilities academically, but to a great extent will also make them more disciplined.
Typo: at that time much younger
I totally agree with you here Duane…
“There is a lot to be said on this topic, but the bottom line is we had a system that worked better then the one we presently have, so I agree with Ms Foggo, regardless if the information is not fully understood. the bottom line is fix the damn system and stop passing the buck and letting these highly paid individuals get off with the crap they are doing to our future generations.”
It is difficult to envision how the education system can be so greatly improved at Middle schools with “professional education” as the solution when presumably qualified teachers are hired in the first place. I think that creating more high quality choices which are free is the key. Education could be improved by converting middle schools to charter secondary schools where they are provided funding based on their ability to succeed at the objectives they set for themselves. We could create schools that provide foundation subjects but specialize in different areas -technology, arts, sciences, academic examination focused schools etc. We could put the right people ion the right places.
Lorraine just because you are qualified!Doesn’t mean you are any good at it. I think that it probably takes many people a good few years to become a good teacher. Just like when you first pass your driving test, then almost everyone is a bad driver.
We need to make sure that our teachers have experienced success and that they are mentored by inspiring senior teachers who can show them not just what to teach but how. I believe that all newly qualified teachers should ideally have taught in other successful schools abroad and in the right year group AND curriculum. Newly qualified teachers should maybe start off as teachers assistants in class rooms.
Obviously the kids also have to WANT to come to school to learn with a genuine curiosity in the world. This is up to both parents, teachers and the pastoral team in the school. A tutoring system needs to be in place which will recognise kids who start slipping.
I would be very interested to see statistical data on levels of attendance in the public school system in comparison to the private school system by age group.
I say take the 5 middle schools and make them into 5 high schools. they would be much smaller than Berkeley and Cedarbridge and therefore the kids will be in a much smaller environment.
Turn CBA into a facility to support the National Sports Center and turn Berkeley into some sort of professional education center.
But the current system is not working and something has to give.
Moving things around doesn’t work.
Focused ciriculum teacher training for advancement. Focused training on how to get kids engaged in learning. Focused support systems for trouble making kids. Turnaround buy in plans to give kids true self worth.
The ciriculum needs to be of best international standards. Not some home made Bermuda diploma.
More Independent student ciriculum based testing to identify understanding shortfalls with corrective action during the terms (bi-weekly tests). results
Teacher marking tests = a no no.
Speedy response of results for teacher corrective action. this means more homework and more parental involvement too.
Parental programs for parents to understand how to monitor kids homework , study planning and how to help their child develop by implementing the right support and right supervision.
Parents doing the kids homework must never happen. this isn’t an opportunity of a do over, or how to look smart to your kids.
More emphasis on teacher performance and monitoring of teacher performance.
The above is the ONLY way. Everything else is a waste of time.
I disagree that all teachers should preferably teach away first. American and UK schools do not look for their teachers to have taught away. All new teachers will have been mentored and also taught in a classroom already to qualify with a teaching license in Bermuda and most other countries I know of. A natural mentor is a successful positive environment of colleagues and so as I said we need to improve systems and structures so that our teachers arrive to this positive successful environment. Like attracts like and positive builds positive.
I can only speak for UK schools and they do not have the critical levels of failure that we in Bermuda do. The UK is a bigger country, new teachers have much higher levels of support. Also they are frequently given ‘easier classes” to gain experience with.
And by the way Lorraine you refer to the importance of a successful positive environment. (Are you sure this is an accurate portrayal of the the Bermuda Public schools?
If you read my comment carefully, you will see that I stated, we need to improve systems so that new teachers arrive to this positive environment, meaning the one created by improving the system. Most people are only as successful as the environment they are in. So we need a system that provides a manageable environment for a leader who can be focused on objectives,and accountable for those objectives and we will have more success in creating a positive environment for teachers to teach and students to learn.
Goes to show that Lovitta Foggo is clueless. Wow, no surprises there.
Really hmmm? Please clear this up for me and all who may benefit from your knowledge? Was it not the UBP that dismantled the Tech School and transformed the secondary education system into the now defunct middle school system? I could be wrong so if that is the case please educate me on the matter.
It is no wonder Grant sees nothing wrong with the current state of affairs (craftily hiding behind some “expert” opinion non the less) – to do so would be an admission of that administrations failure during his tenure – at least in this regard to be fair.
Was it not Jenifer smith the bastion of PLP education that agreed and signed off.
the schools are not the problem.
I’ll say it again….
Moving things around doesn’t work.
Focused ciriculum teacher training for advancement. Focused training on how to get kids engaged in learning. Focused support systems for trouble making kids. Turnaround buy in plans to give kids true self worth.
The ciriculum needs to be of best international standards. Not some home made Bermuda diploma.
More Independent student ciriculum based testing to identify understanding shortfalls with corrective action during the terms (bi-weekly tests). results
Teacher marking tests = a no no.
Speedy response of results for teacher corrective action. this means more homework and more parental involvement too.
Parental programs for parents to understand how to monitor kids homework , study planning and how to help their child develop by implementing the right support and right supervision.
Parents doing the kids homework must never happen. this isn’t an opportunity of a do over, or how to look smart to your kids.
More emphasis on teacher performance and monitoring of teacher performance.
Kids need to be interested in learning. the only way that is possible is by making learning interesting. Teacher training and techniques are a must in this area.
The above is the ONLY way. Everything else is a waste of time.
The U.B.P were the Govt. of the day when “Tech.” was closed down…
It was approved by a Joint Select Committee including members of the PLP.
UBP introduced the middle school system!!! I believe in 1996 the year before they lost the election.
And who was the education minister under the UBP that pushed and forced this whole middle school system through…..yup, you guessed it, GIBBONS!!
How quickly we forget!
Looks Like Ms. Foggo just taught the Dr. a lesson.
You got it backwards, perhaps you need to consider an education for yourself.
nahhh the Dr. just taught Foggo a lesson. If anything should be blaming Jennifer Smith.
I volunteer in the public school system. From what I’ve seen, many of the teachers should not be there but the biggest problem, by far, is poor parenting.
“I applaud the new government for continuity, and for avoiding the temptation for wholesale change in education.”
Sen Rabain, PLP, March 2013, in the debate about education.
You have to know when to hold them, know when to fold them…. I went to primary school then high school then College and finally University. I saw no fault in that system.
Hello Serengeti,
Next time you attempt to distort my words, please quote the entire passage. Note that in the report you lifted the above from, I applauded the government for stating that they wanted to review the Middle School System as well. The whole passage for those who care to hear the undistorted comments is below:
Responding for the Opposition, Progressive Labour Party Senator Diallo Rabain described the budget as a “homage’ to the former administration.
He supported the Sen Brangman’s goal of making the public school system “the number one choice for parents”, and urged the country’s leaders to send their own children to public schools “so that we support the system that we are fighting for and debating about”.
“We can see there have been some very positive things going on in the past few years — there wasn’t much that was being tweaked,” Sen Rabain said.
“For the most part we saw a lot of the programmes that had been formulated in the past continuing, and that bodes well.”
Acknowledging that, under the former Government, the department was overseen by nine Ministers in 14 years, Sen Rabain praised the new administration for avoiding the temptation of wholesale change.
“It’s good to see that there is some continuity,” he said.
Sen Rabain described the cutting of scholarships as “disappointing” and “a bit harsh” but applauded Government for considering a review of Middle Schools — a policy that the PLP has advocated in the past.
The senator also backed plans for screening of Primary One students, pointing out that it was better “to build a strong child than repair a broken man”.
But while he also approved of an increase in the number of paraprofessionals being drafted into schools, Sen Rabain wanted to ensure that they would be properly qualified.
And he also cautioned against “the romantic notion of a technical institute”, advising that while youngsters should be given exposure to vocational learning, they should not be funnelled into non-academic training at too-early an age.
Sen Rabain concluded by suggesting that the Bermuda College could become a centre of excellence for the study of the reinsurance industry, as the Island was already “at the epicentre of this type of business”.
So there was no discussion at all about discontinuing middle schools.
And you did praise the continuity, and you did welcome the fact that they “avoided the temptation for wholesale change”.
Where does Foggo come up with this idea that in March 2013, the PLP said it would discontinue liddle schools if re-elected?
Hi Mr Rabain. The point is that Ms Foggo has suggested the PLP was at that time announcing it would close middle schools if it is ever re-elected. You, on the other hand, at that time said you liked the ‘continuity’, and you also said you were pleased the new government had ‘avoided the temptation for wholesale change’.
Ms Foggo’s recollection of events is inconsistent with the record of what actually took place at the time.
We need some form of the 11 plus exam, if not we are just moving the chairs on the deck. We all don’t learn at the same pace, we need to get back to giving students something to strive for. Restore Berkeley to its former Academic glory, students should earn the right to attend or be in a certain classes there. Having all students sit Igcse exams regardless, if the they are equipped to pass is silly and a waste of funding. . You don’t need a new building to have a parallel trades curriculum in either high school. One size fits all concept has failed.
One test is not going to improve education Rhonda
“EDUCATION”….Technology has put a lot of people out of work.
Technology has created a lot of new jobs,of which UN-educated people are unable to take advantage of.
In the world today it is estimated that there are approximately (3) billion people with a good education and training.
That is one of the reasons we have approx. 10,000 work permits issued in Bermuda.
If we did not issue the work permits we would not have the economy to pay the over paid education staff as we all know some are just there for the money in the public school system.
Technology is moving so fast that many of the education staff have no idea that they will not have a “SAFE” job with benefits any longer.
You can now receive a “FREE EDUCATION” on-line and if you wish to have a TUTOR in English on any subject,try INDIA at $50 per month.
SO considering that you are reading a summary of what actually was said and you completely missed the part about me welcoming the OBA’s consideration of looking at the Middle School concept has been totally missed by you. I understand to need to manufacture some discontent but c’mon man. We are talking about our children’s futures.
If you had bothered to actually listen to the debate instead of reading the biased summary, you would be completely understanding of what was said and how it was said. In 2013 I said that the middle school system is failing us and needs to be looked at for possible changes in including replacement.
Since the wholesale elimination was not being discussed at that point, I then noted that the OBA had committed to at least acknowledging that it was not working and were looking at was to do something about it. I will do you homework for you and show below what was said by the OBA during the debate below….
From the OBA Education Budget Speech…
Mr. Chairman, in recent weeks we have heard some concern in this place and in the public regarding Middle School Education. In my discussions with the substantive Minister of Education, he has advised me that he found that the Ministry, principals and teachers were already looking at the middle school concept and considering what we must do to enhance our outcomes at that level and to better prepare our students to enter secondary school.
I have noted that this is a standing item in the meeting minutes of the senior management team of the Department of Education. Most recently, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Bermuda Union of Teachers and Principals, has established a framework for the transformation of Middle Schools. The intent of the transformation is to address:
Public Confidence
Increased Student Achievement
Staff Expectations
Content, Skill, and Knowledge of Educators
Culture and climate of schools
Currency and relevancy
Discussions have commenced with representatives of the Bermuda Union of Teachers and Principals to determine the way forward.
Don’t cry to me about people taking your comments out of context and accusing others have manufacturing discontent, when you and your cabal do the same thing on a daily basis on here, on the radio, on the news.
Have you apologized yet for lying about Ms. Pamplin using Government stock slate yet?
I’ll ignore the tone of your reply, but I can detect the arrogance loud and clear.
Diallo, you “applauded the government for considering a review of middle schools”. That’s it. A review. That’s all there is in the report of your speech in March 2013. I didn’t ‘completely miss’ it. It’s irrelevant to the discussion, because your words were NOT an announcement that the PLP would, if it were ever re-elected, scrap middle schools. Not even close.
And, in your post above, you said “the wholesale elimination was not being discussed at that point”. This confirms what I am saying.
Your PLP colleague Foggo said, this week: “In March, 2013 the PLP announced that, should it be returned to government, it will dismantle the failed middle school system”. Yet, in your post above you confirm “the wholesale elimination was not being discussed at that point”.
So it appears you agree with me. You were not discussing eliminating middle schools in March 2013. There was no announcement. Foggo made it up. Foggo’s characterization of what the PLP said in march 2013 is a total lie, isn’t it?
The elephant in the room is the quality of teaching. It’s great in some areas, really woeful in others. Middle schoolers should not be doing colouring worksheets as part of their maths curriculum. Algebra, geometry, statistics, those should all be introduced at that age. And teachers need to make the students want to come to class! I came from an extremely unsupportive family, in terms of education. I did great- because school was my safe place, my refuge, my haven. I don’t see that happening here.
Equally, parenting is lacking in a big way. My parents may not have appreciated or supported education, not having ever gone to PTA meetings or ever reviewed my homework even once, but what they did do was make sure that I was polite, respectful, and well-mannered. I don’t see that element as commonly as in my day, which wasn’t all that long ago. It was a rare kid in school who was disruptive in my day, and if they were, they were dealt with immediately and without hesitation. I am horrified at how many kids give lip to their elders here, it is astonishing. And just walk past the bus terminal after 3:30 and close your eyes- but for the higher pitched voices, you’d think you were walking past a bunch of sailors on shore leave. Remember when you could get a ticket for public swearing? My five-year-old came home telling me ‘someone used the F-word today in class’. I am sure they were punished, but I think I was about twelve or thirteen before I heard any peers using that kind of language.
So it’s a combination of things. It’s less about politics and more about where we are as a society. We value things, not people. We respect money, not goodness. We value nothing of value, we marginalize our boys as naughty rascal ne’er-do-wells, writing them off at an early age. We objectify our girls starting as infants with pretty-princess imagery, where appearance is paramount and material objects are more important than companionship and kindness. That morphs into over-sexualized imagery by the time they’re eight or nine. That’s not fair to any of our children. And then by the time they’re in middle school, they’ve never learned the satisfaction of having worked hard for a positive result, they are bored and jaded with the world of consumerism we have created, and our boys are on the fringe, angry and unguided. And then we wonder where the system failed.
We failed. We continue to fail by having low expectations, by letting media and advertising guide our parenting choices, by not getting our childrens’ basics right: be kind to others. Make sure your words are kind. Remember your manners. Play nicely. Don’t tell lies. Especially don’t lie about other people. Own your mistakes, they’re how you learn. Your job is to learn stuff at school, just like ours is to go to work. Believe in yourself, but not by making others around you feel bad. No hitting. No foul language. Respect each other. Listen to your teachers. Share- your stuff, your thoughts, and your feelings. It’s constant, hard work. But it’s worth it.