We're proud of our record

July 16, 2003

Dear Sir,

I read with interest the Editorial entitled "Give Schools Autonomy" in today's edition of The Royal Gazette (Tuesday, July 15). The Editor quite rightly notes a number of the positive changes that have occurred in public education over the past five years. Indeed, the Ministry is proud of its record for addressing problems in education and taking the bull by the horns by delivering on actions which, when taken together, will serve the education community in Bermuda well into the future.

Recognising that there are limitations imposed by the length of the Editorial column, note should be made as well of the introduction of unified materials of instruction in primary school mathematics and language art, the highly successful introduction of the Literacy Strategy, the hiring of fully certified teachers for pre-school, the hiring of reading teachers for middle schools, the move to accreditation for senior schools, the introduction of regulations for tutorial sites and the introduction of teacher licensing. Perhaps the most significant event was one to which there was no reference in the Editorial at all - the development and the implementation of the BEST strategy which challenges all educators and students to meet identified targets within a given period of time.

In spite of these positive actions, there are a few misconceptions in the Editorial which must be clarified to avoid the creation of further erroneous impressions about public education. The first point of correction is one which has been articulated before. The Code of Conduct which is used to govern expectations for behaviour in the Bermuda Public School System was not develop by a group of civil servants who merely dictate what others should do. Rather, when revised in 2000, the Code was part of a collaborative effort which involved civil servants, teachers, principals, parents and yes, students. Agreement on each area in the Code was achieved through group consensus. Members who represent various groups were requested to share the draft document with other members of their groups before full implementation occurred. However, in spite of one's best efforts, there must be recognition of the fact, that in a large organisation, there will always be some who feel that their interests are not represented. In the spring of 2003, the steering committee again solicited feedback from schools, and where feasible, incorporated this feedback into an updated document with a view to creating an even more effective operational tool. The Code was, and continues to be, a group effort.

The second assertion states that there is opposition to the implementation of school boards. Nothing could be further from the truth. A commitment has been undertaken to implementing representative school boards which would include parents, teachers, representatives of businesses and the community. This commitment was included in the Throne Speech as noted in your edition of November 2, 2002. There is no question that decision-making authority should be devolved closer to those upon whom the decision might have most effect. In order to ensure this, work has already begun on proposals for the best mode of operation of school boards, keeping in mind that both senior schools - the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy - already have functioning boards.

Therefore the new boards would represent the interests of the five middle schools, 18 primary schools and 12 pre-schools. One of the more common-sense proposals is to implement boards representing the interests of groups of schools in relatively close geographical proximity so that there could then be a better utilisation of resources funded from the public purse. This would also eliminate some of the challenges inherent in trying to find enough people to sit on individual boards for each school. In a small community such as ours, this is a real concern. The idea of establishing boards which represent a family of schools was treated with derision by some segments of this community in the recent past. However, if one is to be realistic about the time commitment required to be an effective member of a board, coupled with the limited number of persons who might be available, then using the concept of families of schools makes complete sense.

Another interesting feature of which you should be aware is that three schools - Sandys Secondary Middle School, Whitney Institute Middle School and St. George's Preparatory School - already have existing boards of trustees who manage matters related to the school buildings and property and the hiring of staff. We have discussed a number of options with representatives of these boards in order to determine how the new boards, no matter their structure, could co-exist with the existing boards. The discussions already held have been amicable and informative and produced suggestions which were considered in the development of the proposal.

As an aside, the Editorial notes an improvement in the reputation of CedarBridge Academy, because of the efforts of staff and parents. There is also reference to the establishing of schools for students who have trouble functioning in the so-called mainstream. Neither set of actions occurred in a vacuum. Both cases underscore the importance of the Ministry seeking and, where feasible, acting on the advice of those who represent the interests of and who are intimately involved in the operations of schools.

To this end, there will be an ongoing devolution of function to schools where such functions have an intimate impact upon the operation of schools. In this way schools will have increased operational and budgetary authority. As part of this effort steps have been taken to arrange for schools to be involved in the zero-based budget programme. This requires that each administrator be trained to prepare budgetary requests which reflect more realistically the needs of a specific school. We look forward to this as it means that, rather than being the recipient of funding from a fairly generic pool, administrators can tailor budget requests to better support the programmes they offer to students.

The third assertion is that there is disagreement with publishing results of individual schools. Again nothing could be further from the truth. When the initial proposal regarding publication of individual school results was made, there was indeed some discomfort with the concept from within the wider educational community. As a result, no publication occurred. That was the thinking at that point in time. Now, the educational community realises that if each one of us is to be held accountable for the success of public education, then each one of us must be prepared to undergo public scrutiny. Indeed, our BEST strategy requires that schools be accountable for the delivery of a sound educational product of which no one should be ashamed. Thus, the public may expect to see more of what our schools are doing.

In closing, one might interpret the Editorial to imply that these matters are fresh and creative ideas recently thought of by someone else. This is the final misconception. Much work has already been done around the areas mentioned. Thus the public can look forward to hearing more about these matters in the not too distant future. The Ministry of Education and Development has made a commitment to the people of Bermuda and will ensure that the full commitment is kept.

J.T. CHRISTOPHER, PH.D.

Chief Education Officer

Bidding PLP farewell...

July 12, 2003

Dear Sir,

Please Dr. Gibbons grant me a wish:

To work in a hotel with a smile on my face... Where I'm not being judged because of my race.

Not to be placed under a glass ceiling, with people who hate and have no feelings. To work long hours and pursue my dreams... Where success bears fruit and doesn't come apart at the seams.

Where employers don't sneer, laugh and smirk, because I asked for help at being a front office clerk. Where people's misfortunes aren't met with joy where everyone's respected, man, woman or boy!

Where jobs go to people regardless of black or white, but to those who want to work and do the job right!

To be accountable for my mistakes, but to earn my luck and get the breaks. (It's more important to have a rock of peace... then a piece of the rock.)

Where success takes work and a whole lot of trying. I gave everything I could to see the horizon, but since 1998 I've seen nothing but despise, so PLP when you go take Renee with you and you show, your beaches of Hawaii as I vote Grant Gibbons, I bid you farewell as I tie blue ribbons.

PHILLIP

Somerset

The wrong image

July 12, 2003

Dear Sir,

I was delighted to hear that our fine Bermuda Gombeys are expected to be very well received at the Edinburgh Tatoo this summer. Professionally these men are a great credit to Bermuda. However, I have a concern regarding their responsibility as representatives of Bermuda when they aren't performing as well.

I have twice been on airplanes with Gombey troupes travelling abroad and I was disappointed in them. They were dressed so poorly in the currently cool "inner city" fashion of huge sports shoes, oversized T-shirts and pants, baseball caps on backwards, and so on. Everyone has a right to personal taste in clothing but is this the image the Department of Tourism wants to project of Bermuda? They did not look like a group of fine, talented dancers. Where is their pride?

If a sports team goes abroad there is a dress code of sorts and there should be one as well for Gombeys if they are to travel representing Bermuda "on and off the stage". Polo shirts, pants that fit? Anything tidy and respectful. Bermudians as a rule are some of the best dressed people anywhere, so equally should be our representatives when travelling.

VALET

Paget

Can US win the peace?

July 16, 2003

Dear Sir,

Almost 60 percent of Iraq's population are Shia Muslims who are motivated solely by their religious heritage and Islamic teachings of their clerics who in turn want Sharia law established in Iraq, they are not interested in democracy or economic prosperity. Even now Iraqi women are told to wear the veil or face death, and they are told not to smile or wave at American troops who continue to be ambushed and killed by a well armed "hit and run" enemy.

Can America win the peace? Has President Bush and his inept and useless State Department vastly underestimated the mindset and purpose of the majority of Iraqis? And if America wants to employ a military strategy based on world opinion and political correctness filled with compassion then they better send over a lot more body bags.

GRAHAM BURGESS

Devonshire

Thank you, Bermuda

July 11, 2003

Dear Sir,

My husband and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in Bermuda. It was our first time there, and everything was lovelier than we imagined. I want to express a special thanks to those who came to my aid after an unfortunate motorbike accident on Front Street early on Sunday afternoon on July 6.

I did not get an opportunity to thank those who were so helpful to both my husband and me. Your kindness was greatly appreciated and made an otherwise difficult time bearable. And, also, thanks to all at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for taking such good care of me. Again, thank you. We hope to be back again soon.

ELIZABETH C. MACKEY

Briarcliff Manor, New York