Primary School Public Consultation Launched
The Ministry of Education has launched a consultation on the introduction of parish primary schools, with the proposal involving reducing the amount of primary schools we have from 18 to 10, with an aim to ‘deliver 21st century learning facilities.’
Minister of Education Diallo Rabain noted that “we have a primary school enrolment of 2,074 students, and considerable human and financial resources spread inequitably across 18 primary schools.”
Not all primary schools have the same amount of students, so the following should be read with that in mind, however a basic look shows that 2074 divided by 18 is approximately 115, while divided by 10 is approximately 207. The full consultation document [PDF] notes that currently the enrollment ranges from 65 to 195 students.
The Minister had previously told Parliament that “fewer number of primary schools will facilitate the Government delivering 21st Century Real World and Authentic Learning Facilities that are modern and which support transformative teaching and learning practices.”
List extracted from the executive summary, for context please read the full document
The list above calls the proposed school in Devonshire the ‘New Devonshire Primary School,’ and the document states, “For Devonshire Parish, it is also proposed that the two existing primary schools in Devonshire Parish be closed and repurposed to serve as the exceptionalities signature school and the alternative education signature school. Devonshire Parish would therefore benefit from a newly built primary school.”
Minister Rabain explained, “In response to community calls for change in education, the Government of Bermuda has developed a profound and powerful vision and plan to change education. These efforts are holistic in nature. Therefore as a community, we must also consider taking a different approach to primary school education and how primary schools are organized.”
“Our profound and compelling vision is that each primary school will become the hub of its parish. Research shows that when families, community groups, businesses and schools band together to support learning, students achieve more in school and enjoy their educational experience.
“Future public primary schools will expand courses and programme offerings to provide students with a range of educational experiences and services that meet international standards.
Chart extracted from the full consultation document providing an overview of ‘current and future state’
The Minister went on to say, “We have a primary school enrolment of 2,074 students, and considerable human and financial resources spread inequitably across 18 primary schools. Our primary schools are old and were designed and built to support education from an earlier era.
“They require significant maintenance and repairs, and cannot support new teaching and learning models, and 21st century learning environments that our students need as part of a best in class education system.
“Therefore, to modernize and transform, we propose to introduce parish primary schools. The consultation document [PDF] is posted on the Ministry of Education website at www.moed.bm, along with an executive summary.
Chart extracted from the full consultation document about declining enrollment figures
“Engaging consultation activities will be announced in January to give stakeholders the opportunity to learn more and share their views. This consultation will end on 12 March 2021. The dates for the public consultation meetings will be announced in January.
“I am encouraging the public to read the consultation document and to participate in the consultation process. Your views, feedback and recommendations will be critical and valuable part of this important process.”
The Executive Summary follow below [PDF here]:
Why do they want to close St George’s Prep? That’s one of the best primary schools on the island; it is the best in St. George’s.
Yes. Several of the schools they want to close are the relatively successful ones.
We need to ensure that voters aren’t too educated otherwise they might not be so easily influenced.
Ah yes, let’s close seven existing schools but also build a brand new one. That makes perfect sense.
Everyone knows there’s nothing like a fat government infrastructure project to enrich your friends/family.
I guess more non-emergency housing will take the place of the schools… Diallo, not in Warriir Country. our children learn better in smaller classes as teachers are better enabled to give that much needed one on one. St. David’s you rallied when they wanted to change the name of our much beloved school. Stand firm my family or we stand to the wicket until victory is ours. Warrior way!!
We need more schools and more education no matter what the cost. Frankly education is priceless. People did not vote in the PLP for this. Bermuda only just received government provided, unsegregated schooling in the 1970′s. Education was denied to the most vulnerable who still suffer as a result today. Our kids need access to books and libraries.
Oh dear . Where do we even begin with this one ?
Clearly there is no money after all this money Government has for this Pandemic. Yes this government has to make tough decisions. Yes this is one of them. Forward thinking is happening by this government. You think Government doesn’t understand all of that. Your not the only people thinking of ways to save money. I don’t see no one coming here with a plan. All we do as people in this country is point fingers with no plan. If you have a plan lets hear it. And one that will work and present it to Government. All your doing here is complaining. I don’t know how we are going to have more schools when government can clearly see that ones that are open aren’t full.
Interesting that amongst the closures there are possibly
schools with governing bodies. That there are schools that once upon a time were considered to have, in the main, students of a different ethnic persuasion! Will the New Devonshire Primary increase its numbers, I wonder?
There are schools with governing bodies. Berkeley, St. George’s Preparatory and Cedarbridge(?)
I can’t bear to see my old primary school St. George’s prep shut. But as it appears that my beloved place of memories is to close I would just like to hope that no one harms the giant tree that has grown there for years. And that the land is repurposed into something public and parts of it are still left intact. It is a beautiful place and in my honest opinion was the greatest school in Bermuda it would be a shame to see such a historical place just disappear and be forgotten.