OBA’s Ben Smith On Education Leadership
“How ironic the leadership of the Bermuda Public School System has already received a failing grade from educators and the 2023/2024 academic year is only a day old,” Shadow Education Minister Ben Smith said.
Mr. Smith said, “There is no reason for any school on the island not to be ready and fully functioning this year. The Education Minister has been discussing the transition to Parish Primary Schools for awhile. He knew what had to be done, so there should be no excuses.
“Students’ summer break has been the same length for decades. Plain and simple, this is another example of a poor leadership.
“Thankfully there is minimal disruption for students at Francis Patton Primary, but it’s unacceptable for the students and teachers at Purvis Primary School above Year One to spend the week ‘experiential earning.’
“Another Band-Aid fix that the Government is known for. And who will pay the price—the teachers and most of all, the students, and this is not fair.
“To add insult to injury, the Minister of Education, as usual, is reading the room wrongly and glossing over the problem by extending his warm and fuzzy ‘thank you for your hard work’.
“Based on the Bermuda Union of Teachers’ recent statement, the thank you is falling on deaf ears. The teachers want better and rightfully so, are demanding it.
“It’s time for the Government to do better. Our children deserve it. When students don’t complete their assignments on time there are consequences. Who is holding the Ministry of Education accountable?”
While the underlying thesis of this is correct, let’s not act like all the schools weren’t ready. And let’s not act like its the Education Minister’s fault. Anyone who knows, knows the work at the schools is under the remit of Public Works. The Education Minister likely failed in being too optimistic or relying on the advice of others. Nevertheless, here we are. But let’s also not pretend that the OBA gives a rat’s tail about the public education system. They likely don’t even know where Purvis is located.
Everyone in Bermuda should know that Purvis Primary School is on Cedar Hill. It is where the little girl was killed crossing the road after getting off a bus some years ago.
Well that was sensitive. Surely there was another example that could have been used.
LMAO, like fr out of all the examples and landmarks out there he choose that.
I chose an example that everyone should know with a view to avoiding any debate about race or political affiliation.
…but, all we know is race. We are not that deep. Bermuda is all about race.
If that was your child would you blog about it troll?
Watching is the PLP. Take anything posted by watching with a pinch of salt.
To pretend that the opposition doesn’t care is absolute nonsense. A weak attempt at deflection from reality.
Reality is that the elected PLP continue to fail us, it is what they are good at …..failing Bermudians.
Shame on you for not caring about our children.
Its really simple. The public school system are a mess, a lack of care from the educators and no engagement or organisation from the government. The PLP have failed the young of Bermuda.
Meanwhile the private system prospers, flourishes, and parents work three jobs to send kids to Warwick, BHS, etc.
This style of opposition is so disingenuous and only serves to make persons who choose this tactic as ignorant as to how things actually work. The summer was 10 weeks long and full of rain etc. In addition the Education Minister is one person and could have only hoped all the work would be completed on time.
I live in the east and just happened to be on Cedar Hill on Sunday evening September 3 at around 9pm, the lights in part of the school were on and a van was parked outside and I could see people moving around. People were trying to get it done.
Purvis is an outstanding school with excellent teachers and a strong community, if any school can recover from this set back it would be them.
Bad form for Mr. Smith and even worse form for Joe Bloggs to use that tragic event to identify the location of Purvis Primary School which has been in existence for over 70 years.
These 2 schools should have been ready before day on. Incredible response from Rabain. Stupid is stupid does.