Ministry Meets With St. George’s Prep PTA

[Updated] The Ministry of Education said they acknowledge the concerns the St. George’s Preparatory School PTA raised regarding the decision to discontinue Primary 1 enrolments and met with the PTA executive to “address their concerns and provide further clarity on the rationale behind this decision.”

A Government spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Education acknowledges and respects the concerns the St. George’s Preparatory School PTA raised regarding the decision to discontinue Primary 1 [P1] enrolments starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. We remain committed to ensuring the education reform process is as transparent and collaborative as possible.

“Last evening [November 28, 2024], representatives from the Ministry of Education, including the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and the Acting Lead of the Education Reform Unit, met with the PTA executive to address their concerns and provide further clarity on the rationale behind this decision.

“The decision to pause P1 enrolments was made with careful consideration of its long-term implications. Specifically:

1. Minimising Future Disruption: Discontinuing P1 enrolments allows for a natural phase-out of St. George’s Preparatory School. This approach reduces the number of students who would later face the challenge of transitioning to a new school once St. George’s Prep eventually closes.
2. Prioritising Stability for Students: Allowing continued P1 enrolments would lead to a larger student body needing to navigate the eventual closure and relocation process.

“We understand that these are difficult decisions, and we recognise the vital role that St. George’s Prep has played in the community. During our meeting, the PTA executive shared their preference for maintaining P1 enrolments while expressing a commitment to collaboratively managing the eventual transition process.

“The Ministry remains dedicated to minimising disruption while achieving education reform goals. To that end, we will work closely with the PTA and other stakeholders to ensure that any transitions are handled with care and that the needs of students and families remain at the forefront.

“A joint statement reflecting this collaboration will be issued later today to reaffirm our commitment to transparency and partnership. We also welcome continued dialogue and input from the community as we move forward.

“Together, we can ensure a smooth and equitable transition that supports the educational needs of all Bermuda’s students.”

Update 5.52pm: Minister Diallo Rabain said, “Good afternoon,

“Thank you for joining us today. I am here with the President of the St. George’s Prep School PTA to share updates on our education reform efforts, including changes that will impact St. George’s Prep.

Addressing the St. George’s Prep Decision

“Last night, the Ministry of Education met with the PTA executive to discuss the decision to stop Primary 1 [P1] enrolments at St. George’s Preparatory School starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

“We presented two options for managing the transition to the new parish primary school at East End Primary:

“1.Option One: Stop P1 enrolments now, allowing the school to gradually phase out, with fewer students needing to move later. This minimises disruption and makes the transition smoother.

“2.Option Two: Continue P1 enrolments, which would mean more students later having to move to the new school when St. George’s Prep closes.

“The Ministry recommended the first option as it was considered less disruptive for families and students, with fewer younger students needing to transition to a new school. While we discussed the pros and cons of both options, the PTA expressed a preference for the second option, citing better planning and immediate stability for families.

“We approve the requested P1 enrollment and we respect their position and will collaborate closely with them to support the school community through this transition.

Moving Education Reform Forward

“This decision is part of Bermuda’s broader education reform. We aim to create a better system for students, teachers, and families.

“Key changes include:

• “More Autonomy for Schools: We’re introducing an Education Authority to give schools more control over making decisions that meet the needs of their students through the school-level boards that will have the responsibility to hire principals and teachers, for example.

• “Community-Based Schools: Parish primary schools will provide high-quality and culturally relevant education, fostering a sense of belonging for students and families in the parish communities they serve

• “Better Facilities: We’re upgrading school buildings to create safe, modern learning environments.

Commitment to Collaboration

“We know change can be challenging, and we value the input of parents, teachers, and the community. This meeting with this PTA is just one example of the partnerships we are building to make reform a success. 

“Next week, we will host a Zoom Town Hall Meeting with the parents of Whitney Institute Middle School and the parents from all eastern primary schools that feed into Whitney Institute Middle School. The purpose of that meeting is to help clarify Whitney Institute’s future, as announced several weeks ago: it will continue as a middle school for M1 and M2 until further notice. Later in the week, we will host a meeting with the Somerset PTA as per their request.

“We are committed to working together to ensure that every decision prioritises students, and we will keep the public informed as we proceed. However,

“we will also continue to accept invitations and extend invitations to come and sit and discuss our education reform agenda.

Closing

“Thank you to the St. George’s Prep PTA for your dedication and cooperation. Together, we can build an education system that prepares every child in Bermuda for a bright future.”

#BermudaPolitics #Education

Category: All, News, Politics