Simons: Errors Handling Commissioner Position
“The challenges and errors recently experienced with the handling of the former Commissioner of Education speaks to the quality of leadership,” Shadow Minister of Education Cole Simons said, adding that “the Minister of Education must come forward with a statement.”
Mr Simons comments pertain to the situation with Dr. Freddie Evans, whose removal as Commissioner of Education last year resulted in legal action.
It is unofficially understood that the settlement agreement has not yet been signed, however it has been suggested that the agreement is close to being finalized, and may result in Dr Evans receiving compensation over the matter.
Shadow Minister of Education Cole Simons said, “The challenges and errors recently experienced with the handling of the former Commissioner of Education speaks to the quality of leadership and the quality of governance at the senior management level in the Department of Education.
“Good people have been underutilized, and other committed well qualified senior managers have left, which in turn is currently compromising the delivery of quality of educational services in Bermuda.
“With the above as a precursor, going forward there must a re- assessment of the professional development protocols and the performance appraisal protocols in place in the Ministry of Education.
“It is obvious, given the Government’s decision to agree to an out of court settlement, missteps have occurred in the Ministry’s performance appraisal process and governance protocols. These errors costs dearly. It cost the Ministry. It cost Dr. Freddie Evans, It cost the staff of the Ministry of Education, and it costs Bermuda’s students.
“In light of these costs the people of Bermuda need and deserve an explanation. The Minister of Education must come forward with a statement and admit that performance protocols were not followed, and that he should summarise what remedial action that the Ministry will take.
“In addition, by now the Minister of Education and his Cabinet Colleagues should have come clean, given that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education would not have made this decision on her own.
“Knowing the PS, she would have shared her concerns and consulted with the Minister of Education before any action was taken. The action; being the firing and later the suspension of the Commissioner of Education.
“Let us be clear, stains are now on the Minister of Education’s hands. He cannot run from the medley of flawed decisions,” Mr Simons said especially as Dr. Evans “has been offered a settlement, another senior role in Government.”
“Tangentially, through this forum, I would like for the Minister to confirm the current status of appointment of the new Commissioner of Education.
“This is very important as we need real leadership in regards to the delivery of the 2022 Educational Strategic plan, and the resolution of the grave education challenges presented in the recent Cambridge Assessment Report.”
What is this government doing that is beneficial to this country? All the headlines since taking office are things that they shouldn’t be doing.
They don’t have a clue what they are doing.
The 60 percent of the island that voted against your OBAUBP squad asked the same thing for 4 and half years of empty promises and deflection so miss me with your fake outrage on the PLP. Education in Bermuda is horrible and guess who damaged it, YOUR UBP when they changed the school system to disenfranchise the population who is suffering the most today.
Please elaborate about this disenfranchising when the bill per child is more than $22,000 a year .
So why havent YOUR plp fixed it yet? Going on a year now and all theyve done is cost us a few more million most likely. Always an excuse, ” disenfranchise the population who is suffering the most” GTFOH! Lol
You mean going on 15 years of governance.
“YOUR UBP when they changed the school system to disenfranchise the population who is suffering the most today.’
Please elaborate on this claim. When Cedarbridge opened it was a top class facility that outshone all private schools with their infrastructure.
Explain how such a facility disenfranchised anybody.
Facility yes, education no.
and YOUR position when YOU were Education Minister. Cole, please!!!
Politics and education don’t mix. It’s really that simple.
What is the senior role in Government for which Dr. Evans will be engaged?
plp are bloody useless!
imagine that, one politician telling another to take responsibility!
Ladies and gentlemen please take it from a public school teacher… oba/ubp vs plp squabbles are fine, but not when children, specifically black children, are disadvantaged by this tit for tat. Education MUST be removed from being a governmental portfolio. We can get back to our debates on everything else within the political realm, but our education system suffers so much from the constant chopping and changing and arguing. It’s not about which government did a better job, it’s about both parties agreeing to fight about other things.
I am glad there is pretty much no opposition as now the PLP can reign till they totally jack the island up no one to blame then
This is a joke the person that is paid big bucks who starthe mess should be fired Mr Evans has a right to fight no I don’t think he was the best person for the job but the terrible way it was hamdkes was wrong lolol and you wonder why there is some lazy teachers poor children damn
The people who get paid big bucks who started this mess are called the Premier and his cabinet. The Governor would never have done what he did without the request of cabinet.
That is why you do not hear Rev. Tweed and Walton Brown insisting that the Governor be recalled. Because he did what he did at the request of cabinet.
Now sit down and shut up. 24-12!