Recently released public school test results only cover one academic year. Responding to our questions, the Opposition Leader says we need to know what has come before…
Opposition Leader Ben Smith suggests recently released public school test results show Government is right to ‘pause’ education reform.
He also agrees with a Bermuda Broadcasting question regarding the need to compare the latest results with historical figures.
Government released Cambridge IGCSE grades from June 2025, showing that most students failed to achieve a grade from A-C.
Cambridge Checkpoint results in Primary and Middle Schools are also behind the international average. However, Premier David Burt asserts that such a comparison is misleading, as Bermuda uses the Checkpoints as a system-wide diagnostic test, whereas some other jurisdictions pick and choose who takes the tests.
Nevertheless, the OBA’s Ben Smith reiterates the need for an independent Education Authority to remove politics from education, and provide transparency about students’ progress.
He even insinuates that the Premier is shifting the blame, following his comments in the House that parents must carry some of the responsibility for their children’s success in school.
WATCH the interview above…*
*For transparency, Bermuda Broadcasting first asked Government for historical Cambridge results at the beginning of February, a month before the Ministry of Education put out their press release on the 2025 results.
We have repeated our request since, but so far we have not received confirmation whether or not the results will be made available.
