Minister Provides Update On Education Reform
“Since my last Ministerial Statement, we have made significant progress in our transition from a 3-tier to a 2-tier education system. This includes phasing out middle schools and establishing Parish Primary and Signature Senior Schools,” Minister of Education Diallo Rabain said.
Speaking in the House of Assembly today [Sept 27], the Minister said, “In September 2025, we will open our third Signature Senior School at the Sandys Senior Middle School site, offering Hospitality and Tourism, as well as Education Services Signature Learning Programmes.
“September 2025 also marks the milestone when Senior Schooling becomes a five-year program. This will coincide with the final cohort of the current four-year Senior School program.
“As a result, in September 2025, both Year 8/M2 and M3 students will transition to Senior School. In the coming weeks, meetings will be held between parents and school counsellors to help students and families make informed Senior School choices.
“Starting this year, as part of our Education Reform process, students transitioning into Senior School will receive a uniform voucher. This year the initiative is specifically designed to support the double cohort of students affected by the transition. However, going forward, the Ministry of Education will continue this program annually, providing $100 uniform vouchers to parents who attend the Senior School counselling sessions. Uniform vouchers will also be made available to students transitioning from Primary Schools when they close.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker,
Today, I rise to update this House and the listening public on our education reform efforts, specifically regarding the demonstrable progress we are making with the design and implementation of Parish Primary schools and what’s next for transforming our public education system.
Mr. Speaker,
Before I go into the specifics of our reform agenda, I am pleased to report that, despite a challenging summer for children and families across the island, the school year has started with minimal interruptions.
The tragic loss of recent graduates and current students who were part of our BPSS family over the summer has been deeply felt. In response, schools were given the opportunity to design back-to-school programmes tailored to the needs of their communities. These programmes focused on providing a supportive and nurturing environment to set a positive tone for the year ahead.
This was made possible by classrooms and school buildings that were well prepared to receive educators and students, thanks to the work completed over the summer. For this, Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest appreciation to everyone involved.
Mr. Speaker,
Since my last Ministerial Statement, we have made significant progress in our transition from a 3-tier to a 2-tier education system. This includes phasing out middle schools and establishing Parish Primary and Signature Senior Schools.
The Government remains steadfast in our belief that Parish Primary Schools are the key to mobilizing community strengths and resources to support our students in achieving the best possible life and learning outcomes.
Mr. Speaker,
The opening of Parish Schools in Hamilton Parish at the Francis Patton Primary Site and in Warwick Parish at the Purvis Primary Site in September 2023 marks a major milestone in the Education Reform journey. This year, the introduction of Year 8 students signifies our commitment to phasing out middle schools and expanding Parish Primary Schools to include Years 1 through 8. While this isn’t the end of the process, it represents significant and observable progress.
Mr. Speaker,
One of the key achievements at the Parish Primary level is the implementation of the Dual Language Programme at Purvis, alongside new learning environments at both Purvis and Francis Patton.
This summer, Purvis teachers, Acting Principal Enid Furbert-Jacobs, and Mrs. Luann Wainwright-Dill, the Education Reform School Transformation Lead, travelled to the UK for professional development at The Bilingual Primary School in Brighton and Hove.
During this immersive experience, they worked on curriculum development, teaching strategies, and creating effective learning environments. They also gained valuable insights from staff who support diverse learners and interacted with the student council to better understand bilingual learning. Acting Principal Furbert-Jacobs noted, “The most impactful experience was seeing how seamlessly language and culture were integrated into the curriculum, reinforcing the effectiveness of our approach to second language learning through content instruction.”
The teachers shared their insights with the Purvis staff before the school year started, supporting the continued growth of the Dual Language Programme.
As I stated in our press release, “The journey by Purvis Primary educators underscores our commitment to education reform. These experiences will strengthen our Dual Language Programme and prepare students for a multicultural, multilingual world.”
Mr. Speaker,
Last week, during the Motion to Adjourn, MP Caines shared the story of a parent transferring their child into the public system to access this programme. Stories like this, along with the positive results from the Year 1 pilot cohort, show promising signs. Students are excelling in both Spanish and English, demonstrating that we are fostering a lifelong love for language learning, cultural appreciation, and critical skills needed for success in an increasingly globalized world.
Mr. Speaker,
In May, I announced that plans were underway to expand classroom spaces at both Parish Primary Schools as they grow to accommodate two classes per year level, from Year 1 to Year 8.
I am pleased to report that new classrooms for Year 2 students at Francis Patton, as well as new classrooms for Year 7 and Year 8 students at Purvis, were completed and ready for the start of the term.
These classrooms have been designed and furnished to support flexible, high-quality teaching and learning, tailored to meet the needs of individual and group learners. Students are thriving in these new environments, teachers are embracing them, and parents are pleased to see their children learning in modern, well-equipped spaces.
Mr. Speaker,
We continue to see steady progress at both schools, and I’m excited to report that additional Parish Primary Schools will begin phasing in as of September 2025, at the Elliot Primary and Harrington Sound Primary sites.
Mr. Speaker,
Now, I turn to our next steps for Signature Schooling.
In September 2025, we will open our third Signature Senior School at the Sandys Senior Middle School site, offering Hospitality and Tourism, as well as Education Services Signature Learning Programmes.
As with all our Signature Learning Programmes, success depends on strengthening partnerships between the Bermuda Public School System, government agencies, and business and community partners. I’m pleased to announce that Learning Partner Memorandums of Understanding [MOUs] have been signed with Cambridge Beaches and the Bermuda Tourism Authority. We look forward to working with these partners to provide opportunities for students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to follow their passions and achieve their career goals.
Mr. Speaker,
September 2025 also marks the milestone when Senior Schooling becomes a five-year program. This will coincide with the final cohort of the current four-year Senior School program.
As a result, in September 2025, both Year 8/M2 and M3 students will transition to Senior School. In the coming weeks, meetings will be held between parents and school counsellors to help students and families make informed Senior School choices.
Mr. Speaker,
Starting this year, as part of our Education Reform process, students transitioning into Senior School will receive a uniform voucher. This year the initiative is specifically designed to support the double cohort of students affected by the transition. However, going forward, the Ministry of Education will continue this program annually, providing $100 uniform vouchers to parents who attend the Senior School counselling sessions. Uniform vouchers will also be made available to students transitioning from Primary Schools when they close.
Mr. Speaker,
In March, I announced the closures of Prospect Primary School and Gilbert Institute at the end of this academic year. The transitions for both schools continue to be handled with care by their respective Principals.
I committed to providing further updates during Term 1, and we will meet that deadline. Invitations will be sent in the coming weeks for information sessions at each school.
It is essential, Mr. Speaker, that as many members of our Bermuda Public School System family as possible attend these sessions, as they will share important information about school openings, closures, and transition timelines. I’m also pleased that our school principals specifically requested input on how these sessions should be structured, as they know best how to engage with their school families. These sessions and how they will happen will be a result of the collaboration between the Education Reform Unit and the Principals.
Mr. Speaker,
You will continue to hear me say, in this House and in other forums, that Bermuda’s children are Bermuda’s future. While we certainly must celebrate the progress we are making, we must also be honest about the challenges we face. In some areas, longstanding practices and customs have slowed our progress, preventing us from moving as quickly as we would like. These issues are real, and we are actively addressing them, but in a collaborative way to ensure all voices are continuously heard and considered.
However, Mr. Speaker, we remain steadfast in our commitment to reforming our education system for the sake of our children. We will continue to push forward, working through the obstacles, because ensuring that every child and young person in Bermuda receives a quality education is not just our goal—it is our duty.
Thank You, Mr. Speaker.
