OBA’s Smith Concerned About Education Reform
“As the Shadow Minister of Education, I am deeply concerned about the government’s ongoing education reform, which includes the closure of Gilbert Institute and Prospect Primary School in June 2025,” Shadow Minister of Education Ben Smith said.
Mr Smith, an OBA MP, said, “This decision has left many parents scrambling to find alternative schools for their children, only to discover that these institutions are already at capacity.
“The resulting anxiety among students, parents, and teachers is palpable, and it is imperative that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.
“While the intention is to improve learning environments and provide equitable access to quality education, the immediate impact on students is significant.
“Disruptions in their educational journey can lead to emotional distress and academic setbacks.
“Teachers, who are the backbone of our education system, are also facing uncertainty regarding their placements and the continuity of their careers.
“Parents are left in a state of confusion, unsure of where their children will continue their education.
“It is crucial that the government provides clear communication and support to all stakeholders during this transition.
“There is a growing concern that students displaced by these closures may seek enrolment in private schools. However, private school enrolment has remained nearly static, and the capacity to accommodate an influx of students is limited.
“For families unable to afford private education or secure a place, the options become even more constrained. This situation raises the alarming possibility of families considering relocation out of Bermuda to ensure their children receive uninterrupted education.
“The challenges faced by students, parents, and teachers must be addressed with urgency. Comprehensive support systems, transparent communication, and active engagement with all stakeholders are essential to navigate this period of transition effectively.
“As the Shadow Minister of Education, I call upon the government to prioritise the well-being of our students and educators. They must work collaboratively to ensure that the path to educational reform is navigated with empathy, clarity, and a steadfast commitment to the future of Bermuda’s children.”
The same tired argument.
I get it that everyone is not going to agree with education reform. But guess what, not everyone agreed with the path the education system was on. And no one will ever 100% agree, period.
What would be the OBA’s solution? DO they actually even care or are they using the issue to politicize things?
I am proud that the PLP has actually taken the bull by the horns and are making efforts and inroads. What would help the most is if the OBA and others stopped talking to and about the public school students as if they will be failures. THAT would go a long way.
You have a massive decrease in school numbers per class so do you continue to pay or close and save and use excess on other things. 2. The Govt has failed to give us a plan on what will happen to closed schools. That is where the OBA would have scored a goal to say they would meet with the Govt and FDM and independents to develop a plan in order to have the best plan for each school that is closed. I heard a group say youth centres. That would NOT work. Within a year of expensive renovations they would complain they lack funding. With a declining population, Youth Centres are the last thing on the list. Senior homes,Housing and hands on training programmes would go a long way. OBA missed it again.
EDUCATION OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
All have you have been beating around the bush on educatuion for years.
if not what is you answer?
Could it be!
Every body has ears but can not see . IS IT ?
The parents.
The Teacher.
The children .
The school.
There is difference between the Private School and the Public School it is called accountability if the is no accountability in government on many issues we can assume there is no accountability in the education system either.
With respect to the private system accountability is # 0ne.
In reality if we truely want to solve the education problem here there is need to conduct interviews with head personal of each school.
Next all the teachers as there is only one place to look first and not least and that is inwards to the parents if the young person is a problwem at school h is the same at home .
as parents should not be left out , frankly they should be first on the list .
Do we have teachers most likely biding their time?
Do we have teacher dealing with imposable children?
The law protects good children and also unruly children as disaplin is fround upon
Teaching is not an easy job it is an up hill battle
What is home life like for our young people?
Government is caught between a lemon and a lime here, as there are some young people that are be beyond help .
other young people do not want help.
when we were younger ” Non Such Island” kept us in check
There is a broken link in the chain we just need to find it and deal with it all with in the Laws of the land .