Senator Cunningham On Education & More
In her maiden Senate speech, OBA Senator Victoria Cunningham “advocated for a youth-centered approach to education reform and urged collaborative solutions to Bermuda’s pressing challenges.”
A spokesperson said, “She emphasized the need for genuine consultation and practical strategies to empower the island’s young people. Senator Cunningham began by addressing the evolving dynamics of the electorate, highlighting the need for electoral reforms.”
“The decline in voter turnout underscores the need for reforms that make voting more convenient and inclusive,” she stated. “I would like to see the implementation and prioritization of absentee ballots, allowing Bermudians who are unable to vote in person to exercise their democratic right. This is a matter of ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in shaping our island’s future.”
She also pointed to public opinion polls that “suggest a significant portion of our electorate expresses concerns regarding the current administration.”
Addressing the Government’s Throne Speech, she expressed a shared desire for a fairer, more stable, and affordable Bermuda, but urged a realistic assessment of proposed strategies.
“We must engage in a realistic assessment of the proposed strategies,” she said, advocating for “practical, achievable solutions.”
A significant portion of her speech focused on education reform. Senator Cunningham called for a “thoughtful discussion” about the best path forward for students, advocating for “genuine consultation” with teachers, parents, and students.
“We must ensure that every child, regardless of their school, has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow,” she stated.
She proposed “an Independent Education Authority, free from political interference, and stressed the importance of prioritizing core subjects alongside specialized learning. ”
“This is not about assigning blame but about identifying areas for improvement and working together to find solutions,” she emphasized, addressing disparities in educational outcomes.
Senator Cunningham also called for a comprehensive youth strategy, outlining specific initiatives: ”
We must ensure that our young people have a voice in shaping their own education and future. We propose a comprehensive youth strategy that includes investing in youth entrepreneurship programs, expanding access to mentorship and apprenticeships, creating youth advisory councils, and supporting youth arts and culture.” She asserted, “We believe that by empowering our young people, we are investing in the future of Bermuda.”
A spokesperson added, “While prioritizing education and youth, Senator Cunningham also touched upon other critical areas. She raised concerns about the rising cost of living, advocating for a “thorough discussion” on essential goods and market competition. She also addressed healthcare, legal affairs, and digital innovation, calling for collaborative solutions and practical strategies.
“In her concluding remarks, Senator Cunningham reiterated her commitment to serving the people of Bermuda, particularly the youth. “My passion lies in creating opportunities for all Bermudians, especially our young people,” she stated, drawing on her experience in International Business and youth mentorship.”
She expressed gratitude to the OBA, particularly OBA Leader Jarion Richardson, for her appointment, and to her family and constituents for their support: “I pledge to serve with integrity, dedication, and a heart committed to the best interests of Bermuda.”
EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Plus common sence .
Here we go again, more orders from the executive why do you not empower your selves to do some thing better ,at leas using modern methods not just something .
There is a need to teach people how to think not just barely function .
” The mosts intelligent person in the world is not the person who knows alot but the person who know where to find it out “.
There must be a clear way as we see in private school education , admiditially the do have their failures .
how many more years lost ? How many years do our young people have wait.
My favourirte words are enthusiasm; comunicatiuon.
It is not 50footballs
technically education starts the day our young people leave school . that or they go hungry .
Not every young person is cut out to be a rocket scientist .
All you need do is identify your own self inflicted problems and fix them .
STOP PASSING THE BUCK
Every day that passes we see the problem coming to a head and comes to a grind halt with no results to show.
We have been on Bernews with many solutions including reverse engineering education.
Some how is amazing how the surgestion made by the public are ignored by our Goverment .
By the as Friday afternoon sit in are not working .
You can not come up with any thing better may be this problem will this take another 5 years ,we do not have .
What does that big word education mean to a 10 year old.
Education is that what we get from 5 years in a university ? not in a public school
all you can do is blame you selves that does not fix it, blame never solved any thing .
EDUCATION a big word , so, get on with it .
Here is another recommendation . ” Create a pilot school” to identify the pit falls with parents presen in class also could be parent my need a refresher course !
Other than all i say here to motivate you all .
May i ask , are our school being used for a baby sitting service on the tax payers dime ?
ACCOUNTABILITY
This countries Government is being taken for a ride and is being controlled by to power of union policy and is going no where until it legislates acomprehense laws are on the books , relating to Acountability across the board subject to reasonable penalty .
This country with out by require justifiable reason for it actions, who in person say the country can place this island in debt for 3 billion. dollars +/- with our universal mandate .
The Countries hands are tied as Government has no authority other than ***** ” hear, say” *****to do any business with out prior authorisation to function under limited conditions to do so.
We the people do not have tax money for exreravigant ideas with the possibility of reward .
Govermment can sit and do nothing and can not Hire ; Fire ; Retire; Appoint ; Dismiss: Disciplin ; Set rates and tons; Administer policy; Set fees ; Rent, buy and sell ; Demolish; Replace ; hold fair Election ; enter the Contracts with out any prior legal authorization to do so.
The is a dire need for controls in the years to come who knows whagobvernme will be oi power could it be military . control need to be in place .
Governments ,govern its people but fails to govern them selfves .
Some times i wonder if it was not the voter who have failed this country.