Mr. Speaker,

Today, I rise to update this Honourable House and the listening public on the latest developments in the 3-2 Tier Plan, specifically the 2025–2027 phase of the Bermuda Government’s Education Reform mandate. This initiative involves a comprehensive restructuring of the Bermuda Public School System as part of our broader education reform agenda.

Mr. Speaker,

In response to the public’s call for an alternative to the middle school model, we embarked on a journey to phase out middle schools and establish a streamlined two-tier system. Under this structure, Parish Primary Schools will serve students from Years 1 through 8, with one school in each parish and two in both Pembroke and St. George’s. Senior Schools will subsequently encompass Years 9 through 13.

In Parish Primary Schools, Years 6, 7, and 8, known as Junior Pods, are designed to provide enhanced curriculum experiences that support a seamless progression into Senior Schools.

Once they reach Senior Schools, students can participate in Signature Learning Programmes. These Programmes can comprise up to 30% of a student's time, alongside core curriculum subjects such as English, Math, Social Studies, and Science.

Mr. Speaker,

Today, I am pleased to present the next phase of our education reform plan, covering 2025 to 2027, and to highlight key initiatives that support this ongoing transition. The next steps include:

• Opening two additional Parish Schools at the Harrington Sound and Elliot Primary School sites, adding Year 7 students in 2025 and Year 8 students in 2026.

• Phasing out middle schools.

• Establishing a third Senior School at the Sandys Secondary Middle School site, hosting Signature Learning Programmes in Hospitality and Tourism, as well as Education Services.

• Recruiting School Transformation Teams for the Somerset and St. George’s Parish Schools.

• Accelerating the development of a Signature School for Exceptionalities.

Additionally, the previously announced closures of Prospect Primary School and Gilbert Institute at the end of the 2025 academic year are being mapped out, with discussions already underway to ensure a smooth transition for students, staff, and parents.

Mr. Speaker,

In September 2025, all primary schools will accept their usual P1 intake, except for St. George’s Preparatory School and Somerset Primary, which will not enrol new P1 students. Rather than opting for immediate closures of these schools, we have chosen a phased approach to support a smoother, less disruptive transition to the Parish Primary School structure.

Mr. Speaker,

In September 2025, the Parish Primary Schools in Smith’s and Devonshire will open at the Harrington Sound and Elliot Primary School sites, respectively. They will start with Year 7 classes and add Year 8 in the following year. 

Community engagement events have provided the public with opportunities to learn more about these plans. In October, School Transformation Teams from Harrington Sound and Elliot Primary shared their proposed features at critical locations within the public parishes, allowing residents to engage, ask questions, and provide feedback.

These teams, made up of committed teachers, parents, and community members, are responsible for designing and prototyping the features of their parish primary school to meet their communities' specific needs. I am grateful to these members for their dedication to this transformative process.

Mr. Speaker,

Sandys Secondary Middle School, Whitney Institute Middle School, and Dellwood Middle School will continue to admit M1 students for now. Starting in September 2025, students who have completed M2 and M3 by June 2025 will transition directly to Senior Schools, where they will begin their Signature Learning journey.

Sandys Secondary Middle School is unique among our transitioning institutions, as it is Bermuda's only middle school set to become a Senior School. The Education Reform Unit, Department of Education, and Sandys’ leadership team have worked diligently to prepare teachers for this shift, ensuring they have professional development to implement the new curriculum and program changes effectively. 

Over the summer, all Sandys teaching staff participated in specialized training in the Cambridge curriculum, preparing them to deliver a senior-level education. This upskilling will continue throughout the 2024/25 school year.

Mr. Speaker,

I am also pleased to report on ongoing professional development for our primary school teachers. During the October mid-term break, teachers from Purvis, Francis Patton, Elliot, and Harrington Sound attended a session titled “Learner-Centred Curriculum Design & You,” led by the ERU. This session strengthened teachers’ understanding of a Learner-Centred Design approach and high-impact instructional practices that will enhance student engagement in Parish Primary Schools.

These sessions bring together teachers from established and transitioning schools to foster collaboration, strengthen support networks, and promote consistent teaching standards across all Parish Primary Schools.

September 2025 marks the start of the five-year Senior School programme, with Year 8 students from Warwick and Hamilton Parish Schools and M2 students from our Middle Schools beginning this new structure. At the same time, the final group of M3 students will enter Senior School under the current four-year model, marking this as the last intake for the four-year programme.

Mr. Speaker,

All Year 8, M2, and M3 students recently participated in the Signature Taster Programme organised by the ERU. This programme concluded with hands-on Immersion events at Bermuda College, where students explored Signature Learning Programme strands offered at The Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy. Additionally, students attended Open Houses at each Senior Signature School, giving them an in-depth look at each school's unique offerings.

Allow me to share some reflections from students on their Open House experiences:

• Purvis Primary: “I liked that I was able to go to the different schools to see if we liked them or not.”

• Whitney Institute: “It’s been a great time here [at The Berkeley Institute], looking at all the things that they have. It made me look and experience different things you can do at Berkeley that you can’t do anywhere else.”

• Francis Patton School: “I found the Open Houses very informative. I liked what was presented, and it made me excited to go to high school next year.”

• Francis Patton School: “The Open Houses were very fun. My chosen signature, STEM, is at Cedarbridge, and I learned more about what I will do once I go there.”

These reflections highlight the excitement and inspiration that this programme has sparked in our young people.

Mr. Speaker,

The Government remains committed to inclusivity and equitable education for all students. In line with this commitment, we are accelerating the timeline for establishing the new Signature School for Exceptionalities to support students and families better and address the growing demand at Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy.

Mr. Speaker,

As we have learned over the past four years, a reform of this scale brings challenges and valuable lessons that continue to shape our decisions. We are moving away from, in some cases, decades-old, entrenched practices.

While I do not want anyone to automatically assume this means what has been practised during that time is wrong. Instead, we want to always work with our educators to improve what they already know, along with the introduction of some upgraded skill sets. Our goal of a more personalised education system for students from a one-size-fits-all system is not a task to be taken lightly.

Recently, there has been much press about staffing shortages in certain Signature School subjects, staff discontent, communication issues, and other issues within our schools. As the Minister, I take these complaints seriously and pledge to address them as they arise. With the significance of the reform we are undergoing, it is impossible to get everything 100% right. However, it is possible to have a 100% effect on implementing the processes to address these issues.

While we celebrate our achievements, we also recognise that the path is complex and full of obstacles. At times, we’ve needed to pivot and adjust our approach to align more closely with our community's demographics and cultural nuances. Recent experiences have underscored the importance of thoughtfully adapting to ensure meaningful, lasting change. 

Mr. Speaker,

Some of these problems have been developed over the years due to custom and practice, and we are looking to implement long-term fixes that are not able to be put in place instantly in some cases. When we can address these issues immediately, we will do so as quickly as possible. We must maintain open communication channels with Union Partners, Educators, Parents, and Students. Reform requires us to do the work of reforming while maintaining the continuity of the current system. This is not a task to be taken lightly.

We will continue to work with our Union Partners, Educators, Parents, and Students to identify problems, develop workable solutions, manage expectations and, most importantly, maintain a safe environment that is conducive to learning. In the coming weeks, the following are among the various tweaks we are looking at as a result of the feedback we have been getting. We will look at: 

• how we communicate with parents and educators and explore new ways to ensure our messages are effectively communicated

• reassess how the Governance Committee meetings are conducted

• continue to look at the educator recruitment process and how that can be improved

• Perform an Audit of all current S3 Signature School Students to identify any gaps in earned credits related to signature programs

Mr. Speaker,

As we progress with these reforms, the Ministry of Education is dedicated to maintaining open and transparent communication with all stakeholders. As stated, we will provide regular updates through revised means, in addition to the multiple current channels, including social media, newsletters, radio, and community engagements, ensuring that families, educators, students, and community members remain informed.

The government website includes FAQs on the 3-2 Tier Plan to address common concerns and clarify some changes ahead. By keeping communication channels accessible and consistent, we aim to foster trust and collaboration as we work together to enhance the educational landscape for Bermuda’s children.

Mr. Speaker,

Since our initial discussions on the 3-to-2-tier plan in April 2023, we have remained committed to a phased, deliberate approach, ensuring that each stage of reform is fully considered and attainable. Today’s update covers the next two years as we continue on a path of steady progress, instilling confidence in families and communities about the readiness of our schools and the steps taken to ensure smooth transitions.

Our guiding philosophy has been and will remain, a Bermuda-led process—by Bermudians, for Bermudians. Yet, we recognise that education is inherently global, and our children’s success depends on their preparedness for an interconnected world. While this reform effort is grounded in Bermuda's unique strengths and cultural values, we are also drawing on insights from global experts to enrich our approach. This international perspective helps us build a culturally responsive education system that prepares our students to think critically, act responsibly, and engage meaningfully on a global stage.

Mr. Speaker,

We invite everyone interested in Bermuda’s educational future to step forward and join us. Whether through the School Transformation Teams or as active voices in our communities, there is room for all who wish to contribute. This is a shared responsibility, and we firmly believe that education is the business of every Bermudian. As we move forward, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our teachers, parents, students, and community members for their patience, trust, and dedication. 

Mr Speaker,

Our commitment is clear: to listen actively, engage deeply with our community, and adapt as needed. Together, we will continue to overcome challenges, celebrate our achievements, and ensure every child in Bermuda receives a quality education. Reforming our education system for our children is not just a goal - it is our collective duty.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.