20.6 sq mi, some 65,773 people, on a string of islands in the middle of the atlantic. – Bermuda
Education
Updated Nov 17th, 2017
17 Pledges: 1 Completed, 3 In Progress, 14 Not Started / Unknown
Putting Our Children and Their Future First
The Progressive Labour Party will put Bermudians first by ensuring that public education is our top priority. The continued reduction of investment in education under the OBA is a sad reflection of their lack of priorities where our Bermudian children are concerned. Your next PLP Government will give public education the priority it deserves, so that it becomes the first choice for all Bermudians. We will ensure that our education system is modern, accountable, and prepares Bermudians for success in a rapidly changing world. We will restore confidence in the public education system and ensure that Bermuda College is accessible to all.
IMPROVING ACCOUNTABILITY IN EDUCATION
Bermuda’s public school system has suffered from a lack of accountability over the years. Regardless of the many reports on education, there appears to be a lack of accountability to ensure that recommendations are carried out and student outcomes are improved.
Unknown None
Your next PLP Government will:
Ensure that all levels of the public education system – teachers, principals, school boards, the Ministry of Education, and the government – will be held accountable and responsible for maximising students’ opportunities to learn. Internal and external accountability measures will be developed for all levels of the education system, tailored in each case to match the responsibilities of that level of the system.
Unknown None
Minimise political interference in the educational system by empowering educational professionals to assume a higher level of accountability and responsibility for learning outcomes.
Unknown None
SHORT-TERM EDUCATION OBJECTIVES
Conduct a review of all school facilities to identify and correct any health and safety issues.
In progress – See related progress on their 100 Day Pledge
Commence the installation of Wi-Fi in all public schools and ensure that all schools have functioning computer labs so our students have access to the latest technology.
In progress See their related progress on their 100 Day Pledge
Ensure the necessary services, personnel, resources and supplies are provided to all schools to allow them to deliver the curriculum effectively.
Unknown None
Increase funding for scholarships so that students in public schools have more opportunities to secure higher education, and implement a low interest rate student loan programme to improve higher education access and reduce costs to students.
Unknown None
Increase accessibility to Bermuda College by providing financial support to students in need and providing childcare services to working parents who wish to upgrade their skills via continuing education. Finances and family should not be a barrier to tertiary education.
CompletedCompleted as part of their 100 Day Pledge
Ensure training and professional development for teachers to improve learning outcomes for students.
Unknown None
MID-TERM EDUCATION OBJECTIVES
Review and implement the recommendations from the ongoing Department of Education’s Strategic Review with realistic and achievable yearly milestones to ensure the public school system remains nimble and modern with real-time data to measure performance of the system.
In Progress
Nov 21st 2017 – “Mr Rabain said he planned to make the plan available to interested groups and the public by next month.” Rabain reveals plan for schools
Nov 17th 2017 – After nine months of continuous meetings, community discussions, and steady technical work, the Board of Education is bringing closure to the production of a community-driven multi-year Strategic Plan for the Bermuda Public School System.
Align the Department of Workforce Development, the Community Education and Development Programme, and Libraries and Archives with the Ministry of Education to ensure life-long learning and accessibility to education. Status: Unknown Details: None
Provide exposure to STEAM education at the primary school level. Status: Unknown Details: None
Ensure parents have access to the technology resources necessary to assist in their children’s schooling. Status: Unknown Details: None
Ensure that there is sufficient psychological support for students, to identify and address learning or behavioural difficulties at the earliest opportunity. Status: Unknown Details: None
LONG-TERM EDUCATION OBJECTIVES
Reform public education by phasing out middle schools and introducing signature schools at the secondary level, which focus on the learning styles and interests of our children, including academic, technical and the trades, business, sports, arts, and special needs education. Status: Unknown Details: None
Remove geographic restrictions to encourage students from different parts of the island to attend the best school suited to their talents, regardless of the location of their registered living address. Status: Unknown Details: None
Review the feasibility of learning environments and educational programmes to meet the needs of children in special education in a more cost-effective way. Status: Unknown Details: None
Establish standards of early educational achievement, so that our children can have early access to the basic skills required prior to entering primary school. The PLP understands that educational standards in early childhood programmes allow for a student to meet greater success in the educational environment. Status: Unknown Details: None