Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to update this House and the listening public on decisions that have been taken to advance the Government’s commitment to reforming Bermuda’s public education system.
As Honourable Members and the listening public are aware, the Government is working on improving The Bermuda Public Education System (BPSS). This includes phasing out middle schools and creating Signature Schools at the Senior School level. We are also creating Parish Primary Schools, with one primary school in each Parish and two in Pembroke and St. George's Parishes.
Mr. Speaker,
On Monday, I held a press conference to announce that Gilbert Institute and Prospect Primary will close at the end of June 2025. This follows the updates we shared in May about the rescoring process.
Mr. Speaker,
The decision to close these two schools at the end of June 2025 was based on several factors:
1. The rescoring process did not alter any previous decisions for Central Zone schools. As such, the timelines for closures of these two schools shared with the school and the broader community in April 2023 remain;
2. The capacity to accommodate the students from Gilbert and Prospect in other central zone schools; and
3. For Prospect Primary School, addressing the infrastructure issues to redevelop the site for the Signature School for Exceptionalities is more practical, with the school being empty.
Mr. Speaker,
The principals and staff of both schools were notified before the public announcement, and subsequent meetings were held on each school site with staff and parents on Tuesday of this week.
During these meetings, which were facilitated by the school Principals and representatives from the Department of Education and the Education Reform Unit, more detailed information about staffing decisions, school transfers, assistance for parents and other logistics were discussed.
The Department of Education will be working to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible and will facilitate a comprehensive implementation plan focusing on supporting students, their families, and staff.
Mr. Speaker,
Since my press conference and the meetings held at the schools with staff and parents, we have been paying close attention to public reactions in the media and on social media. We have also received feedback from concerned parents and the community. Some people are worried that there is not a plan in place, and I have even received a message recently expressing fear that the schools would not open in September. I want to be clear: these schools will close in June 2025, not 2024. To address these concerns and provide more information, I would like to share more details with those who are interested.
Mr. Speaker,
Students will be supported to:
• Understand the Reason for Closure: We will explain why the school is closing.
• Counselling Support: We will provide counselling for students, both individually and in groups, to help them through this change.
• Supportive Activities: We will develop activities to help students cope with the school closing.
• Student Profiles: We will create detailed profiles for each student to share with their new school's staff.
• Transfer of Records: All academic records and files will be transferred to the new school.
• Visit the New School: We will arrange visits and tours to the new school so students can start getting to know their future classmates and teachers.
• New School Orientation: An orientation will be held at the new school to help students get settled.
• Feedback on Upcoming Events: We will welcome student’s input and feedback on the calendar of major events leading up to the last day of the school.
I wish to reiterate that this support is for each and every student at Gilbert Institute and Prospect Primary, including the students in special programmes who, with their families, will receive additional support across the next academic year to navigate this transition.
Mr. Speaker,
Parents will be supported to:
• Understand the Reason for Closure: We will explain why the school is closing.
• Counselling Support: We will provide individual and group counselling for parents, as needed.
• Information Sessions: We will hold meetings and information sessions to keep everyone informed.
• Special Programs Meetings: There will be dedicated meetings for students on IEPs and other special programs.
• Enrolment Options: We will discuss various enrolment options for your child.
• Visit New Schools: Site visits and tours to potential new schools will be organised.
• New School Orientation: Orientations will be held to help parents get familiar with their children’s new schools.
• Transportation Details: Information about public transportation options to the new schools will be provided.
• Uniforms and PE Kits: We will share details about uniforms and PE kits, including financial assistance available.
• Join the Transition Team: There will be opportunities for parents to serve on or attend transition team meetings.
• Event Calendar Feedback: We will welcome parent’s input and feedback on the calendar of major events leading up to the final day.
Mr. Speaker,
Staff will be supported to:
• Understand the Reason for Closure: We will explain why the school is closing.
• Staff Career Interests: We will inventory staff members' career and employment interests.
• Employment Opportunities: Information on job opportunities and options along with the processes of each.
• Counselling Support: Both individual and group counselling will be available.
• Join the Transition Team: Staff can join the school's transition team.
• HR Support: Human resources support will be provided to help with employment transitions.
• Wellness Support: Wellness resources and support will be available.
• Complete Responsibilities: Staff will supported in the completion of “closing out” professional duties, such as taking inventory, etc.
• Year-End Event: Assistance with and participation in the school's closing events.
• Regular Updates: We will provide ongoing updates throughout the process.
• Contact Person: A designated contact person will be available for questions.
• DOE Visits: Participate in regular check-ins with Department of Education representatives.
• Feedback on Closing Process: We will welcome ongoing feedback on the closing process and activities.
• Event Calendar Feedback: We will welcome the teacher’s input and feedback on the calendar of major events leading up to the final day.
Mr. Speaker,
The Commissioner of Education has been steadfast in her views that the activities and rhythm of the transition process must be co-developed with school sites and led by transition teams established for each school. These are views I wholeheartedly support. The closure of Heron Bay and Clearwater at the end of last school year allowed the Department of Education to execute and test a school closure process. The insights gained from this experience have been incorporated into the approaches I have outlined.
Mr. Speaker,
It is essential to focus on the learning process as this has been a consistent principle for our approach to Education Reform. Education Reform is a staged and phased process. It is no secret that this is the single most significant transformation endeavour that Bermuda has ever undertaken. As such, we must be prepared to reflect on and improve our processes each time. We recognise that there are additional schools to phase out, close or open, and we commit to improving our processes each time.
Mr. Speaker,
This leads me to the remainder of the Plan to Transition from a 3-tier to a 2-tier System. I can confirm that the remainder of the revised Plan to Transition from a 3-tier to a 2-tier System will continue to be developed over the summer and will be ready to announce to all stakeholders in Term 1 of the 2024-25 school year.
Mr. Speaker,
As you will appreciate, this is a labour-intensive process factoring in:
• Minimize Disruption for Students: Ensuring the transition happens with the least possible disruption for your children.
• Preschool Locations: Preschools will be located at each Parish Primary site.
• Special Programs Placement: Specific programs for Functional Skills, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Success Academy will be appropriately placed.
• Staff Relocation: Details on how and where staff will be moved.
• Learning Environment Improvements: Information on construction timelines and the capacity of new learning environments.
• School Transformation Team: Ensuring our team is capable and ready to support the expanding transformation processes.
• Advance Notice for School Closures: Providing timely updates and advance notice for future school closures.
Mr. Speaker,
We know that the closures of Gilbert Institute and Prospect Primary will impact their communities and the broader community. As I said on Monday and will repeat here, losing a fixture in our community is hard. The History and Legacy Committee will uphold the cherished memory of both schools, ensuring their histories and legacies are duly recognised and honoured. This committee will manage essential procedures to solicit, approve, and supervise projects to document, preserve, honour, and commemorate Bermuda's educational history and legacy, encompassing Gilbert Institute and Prospect Primary.
Mr. Speaker,
We understand that a full school system transformation like ours can be lengthy and sometimes disruptive. However, through the Ministry of Education, the Government of Bermuda is dedicated to improving public education for every learner. We will continue to provide regular updates to our BPSS staff, parents, community partners, unions, PTSAs, and the public through various communication channels and engagement events. Although change can be challenging, it remains crucial for our progress as a country.
Mr. Speaker,
In closing, I wish to thank the principals at Gilbert Institute, Dr. Jana Pitcher and Prospect Primary, Dr. Holly Richardson. They have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills throughout this week with their unwavering commitment to ensuring our children achieve the best possible learning and life outcomes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.