Government has responded to parents’ calls to be afforded great involvement in education reforms, according to the latest Throne Speech, which promised to give them a Parental Involvement Committee.

The speech said public school staff would move forward under a system improvement plan, which would include a specific programme aimed at a “transformation” of the Island’s middle schools. The Progressive Labour Party recently reiterated that it would phase out the middle school system in Bermuda if returned to power.

The speech called for national strategies for maths and literacy to be introduced throughout the public school system — as well as “a new school code of conduct, focusing on improving student behaviour”, with the option for academic and behavioural interventions.

The Career Pathways Programme, first introduced in September 2011, is to be expanded, including offering M3 students pathways in the fields of applied technology, business and hospitality, health and human services, arts, athletics and community and academics.

Meanwhile, the Bermuda College Act will be updated to reflect its accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.