Photos & Video: West End School Protest
[Updated] Yesterday, March 25, saw a protest held in support of West End School.
A spokesperson said, “There has been a lot of discussion about parish schools being the heart of the community. West End Primary School has been the heartbeat of Sandy’s parish since its inception in 1869. For 155 years, parents have chosen to celebrate its rich heritage and its unwavering commitment to opening their doors to all. Regardless of race or nationality, West End Primary School has educated the children of this parish.
“We are the parents of West End Primary School, and we choose this school every morning when we get our children dressed in their yellow and blue.
“We choose West End when we attend assemblies, school plays, Sports Days and family events. We choose West End when we send our children here generation after generation. Some children currently at West End are the fourth and fifth generation of their family to attend.
“If we truly want schools to be the heart and hub of the community, it is time to listen to the community. We will not give up this fight, and as our school motto says “Forward Together!” We are the home of the Warriors! Save our school!”
Update March 26, 4.40pm: A Ministry of Education spokesperson said, “The Ministry acknowledges yesterday’s demonstration and pledges to continue the dialogue necessary to obtain the best possible outcome for the Somerset community and our children.
“The West End Warriors and other community groups emphasised the significance of history and legacy as a determining factor for the Parish Primary Schools going forward. We listened to their arguments and assured the community that each school’s record of achievement and historical contributions would be taken into significant consideration.
“We have also examined concerns regarding the previous 19 factors used to make the initial decision. As a government that seeks collaboration, we are reviewing the concerns raised by the West End Warriors and other community groups. This week, we are conducting meetings with school community representatives to allow them to present on History and Legacy. These meetings will conclude this week, and a report will be submitted to the Ministry. As these meetings have been delayed until this week, we anticipate announcing the decision by mid-April.
“The history and legacy component will be incorporated fully into the evaluation process. The previous 19 factors will remain part of the re-evaluation of the scoring; however, the feedback made it clear that some require additional scrutiny. Scrutiny that will see some of them have their scoring revisited.
“The feedback we have received from the school communities across the island has been valuable. We are listening and, wherever possible, seeking to incorporate your ideas, address your concerns, and reach common ground.
“At our core, our greatest concern is the children. Ensuring every student has the tools, resources, and support to succeed drives our Education Reform Initiative. We believe that when the process is completed, significant progress will have been made to improve the quality of education in Bermuda.”
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