Govt Seek Education Communication Consultant
[Updated] The Government has issued a Request for Quotations [RFQ] for a ‘Communication Consultant for Bermuda Public School System,’ saying they are “seeking a suitable organization or individual who is able to provide reliable strategic communication services.”
The Government website said, “The Department of Education is seeking a suitable organization or individual who is able to provide reliable strategic communication services that are aligned with international best practices and who will ensure that all stakeholders and our community at large are informed and kept abreast of the progress with Plan 2022 and the work that is being carried out at the Department of Education and in our schools. The services will include, but are not limited to Communication Design and Delivery, Data Collection and Report Findings.”
Update 1.56pm: Commissioner of Education, Kalmar Richards said, “The Ministry and Department of Education are committed to the strategies and recommendations in Plan 2022.
“The mandates found in Plan 2022 have been thoughtfully set out based on what Bermudians have called for and demanded.
“During the public consultation period, prior to the release of the final Plan 2022 document, it was mandated that the Department of Education increase high-quality communication to parents and all education stakeholders [Plan 2022 Strategy 5.3.1].
“Recommendation 5.3.1 of the Plan states:
Strengthen External Communication and Engagement: Increase high quality communication and public relations to all stakeholders, with a focus on ensuring parents are informed and connected to their schools by continuing to build upon the Parental Involvement Committee model to improve relationships between school and home [5.3.1]
“The RFQ released by the Department of Education for a local, Communications Consultant is a direct response to this consultation-driven recommendation,” Mrs Richards added.
“Having a dedicated expert to carry out Strategy 5.3.1 will enable the Department to meet the overall goals of Plan 2022. It also reinforces the Ministry of Education’s aim to create job opportunities for Bermuda residents.
“The successful candidate will learn about the intricacies of the Department of Education and communicate information within the context of the work that we do, achievements as well as challenges, and with improved timelines.
“We are excited to have someone come on board to execute this particular Plan 2022 strategy. It is an indication of commitment to Plan 2022 and additional evidence of the progress that we are making on behalf of Bermuda, and for Bermuda.”
The RFQ follows below [PDF here]
They need someone to communicate to them they are clueless!! Minister should resign or quit.
This is just wrong. Education does not need a spin doctor – not when people are falling ill in our schools. How on earth is this a priority? why is it even being considered?
It’s a priority because the PLP is continuously in election mode. All this is is propaganda for the masses to cover up mismanagement and make it look like they’re doing something (anything) well , all the while they aren’t.
I sure hope that the base start to clue in here. The minister is the one we pay to communicate to us why should we pay for a spin doctor to do the job we are already paying our minister to do? Is the minister planning to lock himself in his office while someone else takes the heat? OJ please let us know your thoughts.
Wow how long did it take to put together that 28 page RFQ?!?
The Government is sure spending a whole lot of money on ‘media consultants’ these days. These monies would be better spent on fixing the issues with the schools themselves!
And this is after the PLP cuts the Education spending budget. They won’t spend money on keeping mold out of schools, but they will spend money on expensive smooth-talking consultants whose only job is to make excuses.
They really are clueless aren’t they, utterly bereft of self awareness and be unable to see how bad this looks.
How about spending the cash on a contractor to fix the bloody mold?
The OBA claimed that we are ALL paying for Government propaganda and they are 100% correct. Plan 2022 was devised when the PLP were in election mode and as it relates to education is NOTHING more than a plan for a plan. Spin doctors don’t solve problems, they just cost money and are simply there to bs the people into thinking all is well.
They will hire this person and the money paid to them will NOT be spent where it should be, on the schools.
The PLP supporters that think the sun shines out of Alaska Hall simply do not realise they are being fooled AGAIN and who the real enemy is.
Again our students suffer and many don’t give a rats tail but will blame others. Wonder if the sick teachers will sue?