Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP
Press Conference Update on Ministry Initiatives for Fiscal 2020/21
Good Morning and thank you for coming,
I am pleased to provide further information regarding the Ministry of Education's initiatives for the upcoming 2020/21 budget year. As we continue to implement Plan 2022, we must reflect on the Plan consistently in order to ensure we are hitting our markers. While we will continue to move forward with initiatives already in train, we also must be able to seamlessly continue to implement new programs that will support our students and educators alike.
The budget allocation for the Ministry of Education for 2020/21 will be $137.6 million dollars which represents an actual increase of $512k. I view this an actual increase because within our current budget, we have sharpened our pencils and reviewed the original allocation and found just over $2 million in savings that will be used to fund other programs in the upcoming year.
Restructuring and Redesign of the BPSS
The restructuring and redesigning of our public school system in alignment with the adaptive strategies outlined in Plan 2022 will continue in the next fiscal year with $1.4 million allocated to ramping up the work needed to achieve this goal. Plan 2022 outlines the longer-term transformational strategies for establishing specialized schools and the need to renovate and/or consolidate school facilities. This requires planning, redesign and reconfiguration of our schools. The Ministry has identified, the need for external help, help that specializes in change management is needed. This year, we will be engaging the services of entities to assist with the change management that is needed. Soon we will commence consultation with the various stakeholders to share with them the framework of the future of public school in Bermuda so we can begin the process of collaboration to get us moving in that direction.
“College Promise" Initiative
Building on the success of the College Promise program introduced in September 2019, the Government will continue this merit-based “college promise” programme for Bermudian students graduating from public high school with a GPA of at least 3.0. Qualifying students will continue to attend Bermuda College, tuition free with $250k allocated to this program for 2020/21. This school year, 23 students are currently attending the Bermuda College, tuition free.
Severe Behavior Intervention
Today’s students, while they are still children attending school to grow and learn, are exposed to different things than when you and I were students in school. Our students attend school, the majority of the time through no fault of their own, having experienced situations, even us as adults would avoid. Today, our dedicated teachers are at times, faced with behavioral challenges that go beyond what they can handle within the classroom. While the Department of Education has introduced the M.T.S.S. program, we still find that some students require additional assistance. Those students with severe behaviors require consistent daily interventions and support, something that cannot be given in the traditional classroom setting by the traditional classroom teacher. To provide such interventions, the Department of Education will introduce two support centres for both Primary and Middle/Senior school students. There has been $512k allocated in this year’s budget to establish these centres and hire additional Educational Therapists, School Counselors and a Social Worker. This has been something our teachers and parents have been asking for and we are responding to the needs of our students.
While I have provided a snapshot of some very important initiatives that will be implemented this fiscal year, this is by no means the extent of the programs currently in place and will continue to be implemented within the Ministry. I urge you to listen on March 13th when I will deliver the Ministry of Education’s Budget Brief.
In closing, I want the public to know your Government will continue to make public school education a priority. This fiscal year will see continued growth and progress in improving our public education system as we continue to implement Plan 2022. While, I have no doubt, this year will see some very difficult conversations and decisions having to be made, the Ministry of Education will remain focused on the task at hand, we will work diligently and not shy away from making the difficult decision necessary to restore the public’s confidence and ensure our children have the best.
Thank You