Education Minister: Reform, Registration & More
The Minister of Education Diallo Rabain provided an update on the plans for Education Reform, Virtual School Open Houses, and school registration.
Minister Rabain stated, “The Government is undertaking Education Reform, however, there will be no closure of any schools for September 2021 and preschool, primary, middle and senior school registration is scheduled for later this month and in early February.
“To support the annual school registration, Bermuda Public schools will hold virtual open houses to share information about educational programmes and offerings across all school levels. The purpose of the open houses is to allow parents and students to ask questions about our schools. Questions can also be submitted in advance on a feedback form posted on the Department’s social media channels.
“In anticipation of questions around Education Reform, I am communicating to you directly on the following important and topical issues:
The Introduction of a Foundation Year
“I recognise that many parents and guardians registering their children for Primary 1 may have questions about a foundation year. The Ministry of Education is committed to introducing a foundation year as part of Education Reform; however, it will not start in September 2021. We are excited about this approaching change which will take place as a part of Education Reform and the positive impact it will have for students.
Parish Primary School Proposals
“The consultation for the introduction of parish primary schools may have caused concerns among some parents and guardians who will be registering children for primary school. I want to remind everyone that the parish primary school proposals are subject to a consultation process that is taking place.
“It is important that parents know that no decisions have been made and there will be no closure of any primary schools for September 2021. Following the outcome of the consultation, further studies will have to be undertaken, funding will have to be mobilised, and logistics will have to be determined, with the input of stakeholders.
Phasing out Middle Schools
“Since 2012 the Progressive Labour Party, now the Government, has stated that middle schools will be phased out with Education Reform. However, all middle schools will be open in September 2021. We will keep you updated as we progress with Education Reform and the eventual phasing out of middle schools and converting from a 3-tier to a 2-tier system.
“Many changes will occur in the years to come. As we undertake those changes, we will keep the lines of communication open; we will continue to engage stakeholders; and we will always give careful consideration to how we move forward, keeping students and staff at the forefront of any decisions.”
Why even bring it up if you are not making changes and haven’t begun any consultation?
Middle schools seems to be a PLP weapon since 2012, weird how the PLP saw nothing wrong with them before 2012, or if they did, they did nothing about it.
This is more back pedaling from the PLP, this and tax on rental income, following significant backlash from the public.
“Many changes will occur in the years to come. As we undertake those changes, we will keep the lines of communication open; we will continue to engage stakeholders; and we will always give careful consideration to how we move forward, keeping students and staff at the forefront of any decisions.”
But we will not tell you yet what changes we are going to make!
Foundation years are part of private schools education primarily because it generates one more year of fee paying for the institution. Government provides parish nursery schools at a cost to all taxpayers . Are taxpayers now expected to pay both a foundation year and government nursery costs too?
I am shocked at the lack of response to the amalgamation of primary schools which I agree with wholeheartedly. The uproar that occurred when this was suggested by the OBA/UBP was deafening.
Dear PLP,
you have successfully taken the oxygen out of Bermuda and politics.
It feels like a UBP echo chamber.
who would have ever imagined the PLP would become a conservative status quo party that now crushes ideas and anyone who doesn’t fall in line for a paycheck, to be a minister or for a contract.
shame on you PLP.
Diallo. Don,t open your mouth until you can confidently tell Bermuda exactly what is to take place. Every time a question is asked, response is, I don’t know, I’m not sure, we are in consultation. You don’t know and will never know. Lee Simmons came to a presentation at Berkeley Institue years ago, questions were asked by students and parents. Majority of his responses were, we have not discussed that, I cannot respond to that, we are still trying to iron that out. Many were after this sham was over, thinking he was full of it or truly government was wasting our students and parents time. So, get your facts n figures in order or, shut up n resign.