The Ministry of Education has responded this evening following the statement issued by the Bermuda Union of Teachers today (Friday, 7th January 2022).
The Ministry confirms that it has met with the BUT today to discuss Bermuda's public schools' reopening and is aware of the BUT's concerns shared in their press statement today.
The BUT has raised several points that the Ministry explained and clarified with all parties agreeing that the priority is to ensure safe resumption of services to students.
Concerning the issue of pay deductions raised by the union, the Ministry will be investigating communications regarding this.
Acting Minister of Education, the Hon. Tinee Furbert JP MP stated, "We are working on creating strong communication channels with the BUT, parents and stakeholders as we manage issues around the return to in-school teaching and learning. Communication between all parties is especially critical as we navigate the protocols directly impacted by the pandemic."
Minister Furbert stated, “The decision to open schools is one that is driven by the need to make 2022 different to 2020 and 2021; our children must be given every opportunity to resume critical in-person learning.”
The MDLs testing plan for the safe reopening of schools was confirmed on December 13th. It was shared with the Department who then shared it with school leaders, staff and parents that same week.
After almost two years of interrupted education for Bermuda's children, Minister Furbert added, "Parents and teachers have sacrificed so much to do all they can to provide learning experiences of value, but nothing takes the place of the open school environment and the personal contact between teachers and their students. This Government is committed to working with all stakeholders who share that objective and are likewise determined to support working parents and guardians who invest so much in the public school system. This all begins with entrusting their children to the teaching and learning it provides."