Total School Enrolment Continues To Decline
“Total school enrolment declined 1% year-over-year to an all-time low of 8,916 students” a recently released Government report said, and it also noted that “primary school enrolment decreased 4% and has never been lower with significantly decreasing numbers of births between 2009 and 2015 being a contributing factor.”
This is according to the Bermuda Digest of Statistics, which said, “Total school enrolment declined 1% year-over-year to an all-time low of 8,916 students. This year’s overall decrease was driven by the decrease in Government school enrolment. Enrolment for both males and females declined and females comprised 52% of total enrolment.
“Enrolment for Government schools fell 4% and set another record low having decreased each of the past ten years with the exception of 2013. Private school enrolment increased by 2% this year but generally trended downwards over the past ten years.
“Following annual declines early in the decade, the number of students at the Bermuda College has largely increased since 2016 but fell by 2 students in 2020.
“Primary, middle and secondary school enrolment all trended downwards over the past ten years. Primary school enrolment decreased 4% and has never been lower with significantly decreasing numbers of births between 2009 and 2015 being a contributing factor.
“Middle school enrolment rebounded from last year’s record low with a 2% increase. Secondary school enrolment reached its lowest level on record this year following a marginal decrease.
“Across all types and levels of school enrolment, the largest disparities by sex occurred at the Bermuda College as females represented 61% of students. This gap narrowed over time as females comprised nearly two-thirds of all Bermuda College students in 2011.”
The declining school enrolment was one of the factors cited in the consultation process for Primary schools with the Government previously confirming that they will move forward with Parish Primary Schools which “will see one primary school per parish with two primary schools in Pembroke for a total of 10 primary schools, eight less than the 18 primary schools we currently use.”
“There will be no closures of any primary schools this school year or next school year. These eventually discontinuing use of any schools will be phased in over a period of no less than five years, starting after the 2022/23 school year and more specifically between 2023 and 2027,” the Education Minister previously said.
The consultation document for the Parish Primary Schools [PDF] stated that there are 2,074 students across 18 primary schools — meaning the public primary schools — and noted that “Bermuda’s birth rate continues to decline, and projections show that the decline in enrolment will continue,” with that document projecting that number of public primary school students will further decrease to 1,800 by 2027.
Here’s proof that the budget for the MoE can be decreased substantially. Less children means less teachers and more importantly much less admin staff sitting around checking forms are completed properly. Significant cost savings can be made, but being Government they will probably hire more staff.
Ring-a-ding ??
Where will these qualified teachers go?
Take the expats positions in private schools ?
Or the brain drain option-bermudians leaving to live abroad !
Think before you speak
If they were good enough, they’d already be in the private schools ( most of them)
@Average Bermudian. I think your name speaks volumes. Less demand (pupils) equals less supply (teachers and admin staff). This is how it works in the real world, except in Government. It won’t be long now that the real taxpayers (private sector especially IB) will reduce their taxes (move jobs away from Bermuda). It won’t make headlines but will be death by a thousand cuts and just as painful (not enough money to pay Government workers). Maybe this is what the ex Minister of Finance has seen coming?
Been happening for years, ever since the Burch and DREB “clearances”.
Typical Bermuda answer. The Min Education is run for the benefit of its taxpayer-funded staff, not for the benefit of students.
So keep un-needed employees on payroll just so they won’t be unemployed? So are we still paying the train conductor and ticket takers of our now defunct train? How about blacksmiths? Are you paying their salaries still?