Column: Robinson On Education System & More
[Opinion column written by OBA’s Dwayne Robinson]
It is very clear that Bermudians would like to see changes within our education system. It isn’t a matter of whether Bermuda requires education reform, it’s more about how that looks.
The One Bermuda Alliance wants all students to have access to a world-class education, which will enable them to utilize their talents to keep Bermuda internationally competitive in business, sport, arts, trades, and other vocational skills. We must foster innovation and reject stagnation.
We want teachers to occupy a prestigious position within our society for the impact they have on our next generation. We want parents who are engaged and feel listened to when it comes to the best interest of their children.
The current Government’s reform has been marred by objections from several parent groups and teachers, along with official votes of non-confidence in education leadership, multiple calls from the community for the Minister’s resignation, and controversial school closures. However, there have been triumphs for our young people and that should be celebrated as well. We can accept that we have issues that need to be fixed without casting a shadow over the entire public education system.
The current Minister of Education wears the responsibility of his reform plan, but he is not responsible for all the problems that exist within our public education system. Successive governments have implemented a policy they believed was right during their tenure, resulting in the problems we have today. Our children’s education is not one person’s fault but is all our responsibility.
The One Bermuda Alliance believes that education should be a collective effort with a strong emphasis on accountability. Politicians should be focused on policy to give educators the budget, tools, and economic direction while maintaining our school facilities. This helps ensure we produce the workforce we require to move Bermuda forward and foster a healthy society.
We desire the implementation of an Independent Education Authority that provides a national curriculum for all students, regardless of learning types and abilities, that evolves with global progress and sets the professional teaching standard. This Independent Authority should have highly qualified teachers, education administrators, parents, artists, tradespeople, farmers, fishermen, successful entrepreneurs, and members of the private sector who can collectively map out the education of our children and cultivation of our teachers over the long term, with no political interruptions. Regardless of which party is in power, the plan continues serving the best interest of our students and teachers, providing stability in education. This body will also maintain accountability and standards amongst teachers, with much less political interference.
The One Bermuda Alliance envisions a National Parent Teacher Association, so that common problems in our schools can be brought forward and dealt with collectively, rather than parents advocating separately. Bermuda should never see schools placed against one another, as we have seen in this Minister’s education reform ever again. We want to encourage parents to have a voice, which will in turn increase their engagement within the Bermuda Public School System.
I am pleased to have heard the Minister pick up an OBA suggestion regarding the Independent Education Authority and look forward to it being implemented sooner rather than later to assist in navigating our education system through these turbulent times. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen any legislative movement on implementing the Independent Education Authority, and when it was mentioned by the PLP, they continued to miss a very crucial word…Independent.
Our educators are spread thin, lacking resources, staff, and are adjusting to an ever-changing reform plan.
The One Bermuda Alliance recognizes that our public education system must be a priority to all Bermudians. We need a culture of learning which fosters a national standard of engagement from all of us, to uplift our students, value our teachers’ roles in society, and help tackle our society’s social issues.
- Dwayne Robinson is an Opposition Senator and candidate for constituency 30, Southampton East Central.
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