OBA’s Ben Smith: Where’s The Education Plan?
“With the new academic year about to begin, why hasn’t the Department of Education published its plan in order for both parents and teachers alike to know what to expect?” Shadow Education Minister Ben Smith said.
Mr. Smith said, “What will be the Covid protocols for students and teachers? Can teachers have access to their classrooms after school and on weekends to do prep work or will this continue to be restricted in some schools?
“Will teachers have to continue to carry out the cleaning protocols in schools if and when the cleaning isn’t being executed to a satisfactory level? Will we continue to see classes shut down and students fall behind if there is a Covid outbreak? What have we learned from the last two years?
“While a number of parents will receive funds from the government to return to school, have all schools been given the supplies needed for reopening?
“When the funding was announced for households, a teacher expressed the need for computers and other supplies for schools in the media. Have technological needs been satisfied?
“Have we increased the number of supply teachers in the Bermuda Public School System so that the coverage of long term absenteeism or illness isn’t stretching teachers to capacity?
“Is there an updated plan for support on curtailing truancy of students? What is the Education plan for preventing our students from being recruited into gangs? Parents need to know that along with the new plans for education, the basic needs for safety are being addressed.”
With the unknown entertainer
There isn’t one. Usual PLP and MoE incompetence.