The Progressive Labour Party has said it would reform the public education system if it wins the General Election.

Among the changes outlined in a statement from the party yesterday, the Opposition said it would phase out middle schools and introduce signature schools while increasing funds for scholarships in higher education and providing support to the Bermuda College.

A party spokesman said: “Our actions will prove that education will be a priority. We will start by reforming public education by phasing out middle schools and developing and implementing signature schools at the secondary level focusing on academics, the trades, business, sports and the arts.

“We also won’t ignore higher education because every Bermudian must have the opportunity to attain the skills they will need to compete and thrive in an ever-changing world.

“The PLP will increase funding for higher education scholarship and provide financial support to make Bermuda College accessible to all Bermudians. Because what good is education when it’s not accessible to everyone?”

The party went on to chastise the One Bermuda Alliance which has faced heavy criticism about the state of school infrastructure as revealed in the 2016 Score [School Reorganisation] Report and industrial action over working conditions for teachers.

“The PLP believes we owe it to our children, educators and communities to ensure that the facilities we place them in are conducive to learning. Under a PLP government they will be the priority.

“We will work to make sure all schools are safe for our children and educators, while also equipping them with wi-fi and the latest technology so they have all the tools they need to learn and succeed in life.

“Four years of the OBA’s disastrous education policy is enough. Their indifference to our children and their future is startling. Their ineptitude and mismanagement has sent a troubling signal to our youth, their parents and our educators that they are not this government’s priority.

“That will change under the PLP because we believe everyone matters, not just the chosen few. For the betterment of our country, on July 18 we must elect a government who will make education a priority.”

In the most recent budget, the OBA allocated an extra $2 million to education, bringing it up to $126.991 million.

Former education minister Wayne Scott pointed out at the time: “If we had not had the lapse in maintenance in the last decade, we would not be here now.”

He also spoke of his hope that the Middle School Transformation Plan would improve the quality of teaching and learning at the middle-school level.