Pausing education reform would ‘leave schools in limbo’
Image: Creative Commons
The following statement was issued today by the Progressive Labour Party:
“Bermudians must not forget the OBA’s record on education. Under the OBA, public schools were underfunded, scholarships were cut, public schools had no WiFi and there were widespread reports of increased mould in our public schools. The OBA has consistently viewed education as an expense to be minimised rather than an investment in our collective future.
Under the PLP, we have increased funding for education. We have increased scholarships for our young people. We have implemented a major revamp of our education system, to deliver on our promise to phase our middle schools and return Bermuda to a two-tiered system with signature schools that provide education in skilled trades like construction.
Education is everyone’s business. It affects not just the students in our classrooms today but also Bermuda’s economy, workforce, and future stability. For generations, our public education system has been shaped by inequality, segregation, and colonial influence. While progress has been made, the consequences of that history continue to limit opportunities for too many young people.
Reform isn’t easy, and we recognise that the implementation hasn’t been perfect and must be improved. We must continue trying to include all stakeholders in the decision-making process and gain a deeper understanding of the unique needs of each school community.
Education reform in phases has allowed us to learn from each step along the way and has provided valuable lessons, revealing both successes and areas that require adjustment. But make no mistake the PLP are committed to education reform and public education.
The OBA is in no position to critique our approach to strategic planning in education, given their track record of mismanagement in education. The OBA has no clear strategic plan for their proposed “pause” on education reform, so how can it be considered a responsible decision? Pausing without a clear plan risks wasting resources, leaving schools in limbo, and creating confusion for students, teachers, and parents.
Fiscal responsibility means having a solid, data-driven plan—not just leaving it up to chance, with no idea on how the authority would be funded (according to Ben Smith) and without a clear understanding of what that means for our students and our budget – how can the OBA make broad statements of change when it is clear they haven’t done the research?
The PLP has a plan. We are moving forward with a structured approach to education reform that increases autonomy for schools and school boards via an Education Authority, prioritises student success, teacher support, and long-term sustainability. The plan includes Signature Learning, industry partnerships, and a clear framework to strengthen education by ensuring financial responsibility.”
