OBA’s Smith Raises Concerns Over Education
“Despite promises of a seamless return to school, the reality remains nothing close to that,” Shadow Education Minister Ben Smith said.
Mr. Smith, an OBA MP, said, “We still face unfinished facility upgrades, a persistent shortage of teachers, and overstretched counselling services. These conditions compromise both readiness and safety in classrooms. Parents and educators are once again left trying to sort through the mess. This is not fair to our students.
“School closures that don’t seem to have been planned out properly without a clean transition plan. Facilities not prepared to take in the students that have been forced to move because of closures. The flip flop in decisions that cause further confusion after parents have made decisions based on what they were originally told.
“Teachers are the backbone of our system but they continue to deal with staffing shortages, unfinished school conditions, and the immense burden of implementing reforms without adequate support.
“Public education continues to have challenges with the reform confusion to staff burnout and parental distrust. Education in Bermuda must now be treated as an emergency. Failing more of our students has the potential to have more fall into the negative cycle growing in Bermuda.
“Our demands:
- “Ensure all schools are fully operational, safe, and equipped
- “Publish clear, accessible timelines and transition plans for each year group for the next two years. Students, parents and teachers shouldn’t have to guess
- “Establish a transparent, independent Education Authority charged with delivering verifiable data on literacy, numeracy, attendance, funding flows, and overall performance. Publicly updated on a quarterly basis
- “Halt current reform initiatives and closures pending a comprehensive, evidence-based review involving independent experts and affected communities
- “Deploy targeted resources to strengthen substitute teacher pools, enhance para-educator support by bringing back experienced properly certified teachers as the support for new teachers
- “Expand counseling services. I know this will cost more money but this is an emergency and we have to give our students the best oportunity to succeed.
- “Consistent, honest communication and meaningful stakeholder engagement must be the norm, not the exception
- “Stop the photo ops and get things fixed.”
That will never happen while PLP in charge. Furthermore it will be another election bribe
The challenge is that the OBA never showed any commitment to education and therefore any criticisms are felt to be disingenuous and politicking. The PLP may not always get it right, but they are always there with the parents and with the students. They have kids in the public schools; they have families who are teachers. So, while there may be missteps, their intentions are thought to be well.