Education Minister Wayne Scott has said that the Bermuda Government would be considering school closures and consolidation of preschools and primary schools.

He said that no decisions would be made without consultation with stakeholders. He announced a suspension of the preschool and primary school registration process until that consultation is complete.

“The Ministry of Education faces a 5 per cent budget reduction equivalent to approximately 5.9m during the 15/16 fiscal year. This coupled with continued demographic trends such as a decline in student enrollment has left us little choice but to consider restructuring the way that public education is delivered.

“As a result of the economic challenges we face, we will have to discuss with all interested stakeholders the requirement for fewer Government pre schools and primary schools in the first instance and therefore the consolidation or closure of schools.

“We will consult and consider the views of effective PTAs before any definitive decisions are made. We will also consult all key stakeholders.”

Rolfe Commissiong, the Opposition Member of Parliament, quizzed Mr Scott on whether the reforms would extend to senior schools and the Bermuda College. Mr Scott said that he could not make any guarantees and that the Government must make a “data-driven decision”.

The Education Minister further responded, this time when questioned by Opposition MP Wayne Furbert, that he was not in a position to declare that there would be no lost jobs for teachers.

Mr Scott cited decreasing birth rates, declining population growth rates, student enrolment and emigration as reasons for the need to reform the preschool system.

• For the full ministerial statement, click on the PDF file under “Related Media”.