PATI INFORMATION STATEMENT MINISTRY OF EDUCATION HEADQUARTERS

Notice type

Government Notice

Public Notification

Notice ID

GN0118/2023

Public Authorities / Department

Ministry Level

Publication date

29 January, 2023

BERMUDA GOVERNMENT

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

PATI Information Statement

Name of Public Authority: Ministry of Education Headquarters
Introduction: The purpose of the Public Access to Information Act is to— give the public the right to obtain access to information held by public authorities to the greatest extent possible, subject to exceptions that are in the public interest or for the protection of the rights of others; increase transparency, and eliminate unnecessary secrecy, with regard to information held by public authorities; increase the accountability of public authorities; inform the public about the activities of public authorities, including the manner in which they make decisions; and have more information placed in the public domain as a matter of routine. The purpose of the information statement is to provide information to give the public sufficient information about the public authority to help them to make requests and share to what information is already publicly available.
Section A: Structure, Organization and Legislation [s5(1)a]
Structure and Organization Ministry of Education Headquarters (Permanent Secretary) (Senior Policy Analyst) (Policy Analyst) (Comptroller) (Executive Assistant) (Scholarship & Awards Program Manager) (Administrative Assistant/Accounts Officer)
Governing Legislation: Education Act, 1996 Education (Applications for Registration of Schools) Rules 1987 Education Rules 2006 Education Rules (Tutorial Sites) 2003 Education (School Support) Rules 2004 Bermuda Government Scholarships Act 2008 Bermuda Government Scholarships Regulations 2013 Education (Tutorial Sites) Rules 2003 Education (Applications for Registration of Schools) Rules 1987 Bermuda Educators Council Act 2002 Public Service Commission Regulations, 2001 Policies and Procedures Manual for Principals, (2008) Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff Student Code of Conduct Collective bargaining agreements of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, Bermuda Public Services Union and the Bermuda Industrial Union
Section B: 1) Functions, powers, duties of the Authority [s5(1)b]
To provide strategic leadership and policy direction for education and life-long learning. Develop strategic policy for the public school education system Improve the administration of grants to external bodies and ensure provision of monies directly impact students Improve stakeholder confidence through consultation and engagement Educate the community through educational, social and recreational resources that prepare, inform and engage life-long learning and access to initiatives that meet the needs of Bermuda residents
Section B: 2) Obligations under PATI Act [s5(1)b]
To provide an information statement for the public and promulgate it [s5], To provide other information to the public so that the public needs only to have minimum resort to the use of the Act to obtain information [s6]. This includes: General information, e.g. activities of the Authority Log of all information requests and their outcome Quarterly expenditure (upon request) [s6(5)] Contracts valued at $50,000 or more. To respond to information requests in a timely manner [s12-16] To track information requests, and provide this data to the Information Commissioner To respond to requests from the Information Commissioner [s9] To amend personal information held by the Authority that it is wrong or misleading following a written request by the person to whom the information relates [s19] To conduct an internal review if formally requested [part 5] To give evidence for review by the Information Commissioner [part 6, 47(4)], or for judicial review [s49], if required To provide an annual written report to the Information Commissioner of the status of information requests [s58(3)]. To do anything else as required under the PATI Act and subsequent Regulations [s59, 60], including: Fees for Requests for information Management and maintenance of records Procedures for administering the Act To train staff and make arrangements so as to facilitate compliance with the Act [s61] To designate one of its officers to be the person to whom requests are directed [s62]
Section C: Services and Programmes [s5(1)c]
The Ministry of Education Headquarters engages in consultation on legislation of national importance. Drafting Instructions Scholarships and Awards External Grants Teacher Exemptions Consultation & Public Enquiries Appeals
Section D: Records and documents held [s5(1)d]
Ministry Headquarters Strategic policy and planning documents Minutes of Meetings Memoranda General correspondence
Section E: Administration (all public access) manuals [s5(1)e]
Education Act, 1996 Education Rules, 2006 Education (School Support) Rules Education (Tutorial Sites) Rules 2003 Education (Applications for Registration of Schools) Rules 1987 Bermuda Government Scholarships Act 2008 Bermuda Educators Council Act 2002 Public Service Commission Regulations, 2001 Policies and Procedures Manual for Principals, (2008) Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff Student Code of Conduct Collective bargaining agreements of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, Bermuda Public Services Union and the Bermuda Industrial Union
Section F: Decision-making documents [s5(1)f]
Education Act, 1996 Education Rules, 2006 Education (School Support) Rules Education (Tutorial Sites) Rules 2003 Education (Applications for Registration of Schools) Rules 1987 Bermuda Government Scholarships Act 2008 Bermuda Educators Council Act 2002 Public Service Commission Regulations, 2001 Policies and Procedures Manual for Principals, (2008) Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff Student Code of Conduct First Admission to Primary School Policy and Procedures Document Financial Instructions Collective bargaining agreements of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, Bermuda Public Services Union and the Bermuda Industrial Union

Section G: The Information officer [s5(1)g]

To be designated following an organizational review.

Darlene R. Hartley

Email: moepati@moed.bm

Section H: Any Other Information [s5(1)h]

The Ministry of Education puts as a matter of course most public information on its website: www.moed.bm.

Records pertaining to individual students are personal to those students and their parent(s)/guardians.

Section I: Any Other Information To be Provided? [s5(1)i]

Plan 2022 – Bermuda’s Strategic Plan for Public School Education

Section J: Information Statement: Copies and Updates [s5(2,3,4,5)]

Every public authority shall update its information statement at least once a year, and make it available for inspection by the public at reasonable times by [s5(1-5), PATI Act]:

Date Information Statement was updated: 30 January 2023

Locations of Information Statement:

Ministry Headquarters & All Departments

44 West Church Street

Hamilton HM 12

Tel: 441-278-3300

Fax: 441-232-0642

Available electronically, Y
Website for public authority www.moed.bm …; Y

Have you published a notice in the Gazette indicating the places where the information statement is available for the public? Y

With the Information Commissioner. Y

Sign and Date:

_______________________________________

Jasmin Smith, Acting Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Education

Date: 30 January 2023

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