OBA’s Ben Smith On Education, Teachers & More
“Classrooms are under pressure. Children who need help are not getting it. And teachers are being pushed to the limit,” Opposition Leader and Shadow Education Minister Ben Smith said.
Mr. Smith said, “The Bermuda Union of Teachers has confirmed what families have been experiencing. Our schools do not have enough psychologists, paraprofessionals, or support staff to meet students’ needs.
“I noticed a troubling trend during the budget debate for Education: The Government cut funding for paraprofessionals — the very people who support children in the classroom.
“Yet it increased its spending on administration. More bureaucracy and less support for our students. It leaves you wondering who really is the priority for the Government where it pertains to public education.
“It is moving in the wrong direction at a time when more students need more support than ever.
“The Government has highlighted that early intervention is critical but has not increased the support resources available.
“The Government took the decision to reduce support in the classroom and our students are paying the price.
“Children are waiting months even years for assessments to just be completed.
“Teachers are managing clinical-level issues without clinical support.
“Learning is being disrupted for everyone.
“So here are the questions I am posing to the Minister of Education:
- Why are you cutting support where it matters most?
- Where are the psychologists our children are waiting for?
- Why is administration growing while classrooms are struggling?
“Here is what needs to be done:
- Make the Department of Education less top heavy
- Increase resources in schools and hire more critical support staff that are desperately needed
- Increase therapeutic services for students
“We can no longer deny that the public education system is in crisis. But the question remains, does the Government have what it takes to fix it? There can no longer be excuses. Our students, our teachers and education support staff deserve better.”
And how would the OBA fix it?
Please, it’s just politics, they will kick the can way down the road,Lol