Opposition says their top priority is to “take politics out of education”
If elected on February 18, the One Bermuda Alliance said it would pause the education reform process implemented under the incumbent PLP Government, conduct a comprehensive audit of the system, and establish an independent education authority.
Shadow Education Minister Ben Smith outlined these priorities during a press conference at his party’s headquarters, citing education as one of the top concerns among voters.
He stated that “politics in education has caused issues for multiple generations” and warned that the public school system is “falling behind”, as evident from frustrated parents and teachers.
If urgent changes are not made, Mr Smith cautioned, that the cycle will continue.
He declared that the OBA’s number one priority would be to remove politics from education, stating: “Politicians have gotten in the way of what really should be put in the hands of the experts.”
Mr Smith also argued that school closures have led to more students being pushed towards private schools, forcing parents to dig even deeper into their pockets for education or consider moving abroad.
In addition to schools closing due to the incumbent Government’s restructuring of the public school system, he pointed to a shortage of substitute teachers and teacher absences, such as the current disruption at Sandys Secondary Middle School.
Mr Smith explained: “When a teacher withholds education, that is their last resort because they have reached their breaking point – they do not take that decision lightly.”
He cited these challenges as evidence that a pause on education reform is necessary, along with a full audit of the process so far, accountability measures, and the implementation of an independent education authority.
“This is not an experiment – the children’s future is too important for us to look at this like an experiment,” said Mr Smith.
He added that the OBA’s approach to education would ensure that “every child in Bermuda has access to a world-class education.”
