STANDFIRST: Government is looking at a radical shake-up of the education system that could include the closure of five primary schools and the building of a new senior school.

Other options include consolidating smaller primary schools and moving preschools into buildings the Government owns, or have primary schools run from P1 to P7 and do away with middle schools.

Here is what some of you said about those proposals on email or on our Facebook page.

STORY: In an email, Renee Dill said: "I have a child at the senior level but she is actually graduating this year but I have a son who will start primary school in September and am a little distraught at the news from Government to close down some primary schools.

"Here is my viewpoint on the situation. I quote from the paper 'Some of the things that we hear are that people are supportive of the primary school system. Those seem to go well. We have good retention at all primary level. Where we get to see concerns are at the middle school level'.

"This statement in itself tells me once again Government is fixing things that are not broken. Leave the primary system alone and get rid of the middle school system, is that not your problem area? I always thought that things should be fixed that were broken not the other way around. That is what happened to the system when they switched it to the mega school system.

"The system was not broken then but they decided to fix it and messed up the whole social aspect of the system. Now they are trying to fix what they shouldn't have fixed and are going about it in the wrong way.

"Stop with the off the wall ideas and really get to the problem at hand. Government needs buildings, middle school (five) to be exact are not producing quality levels, that is five buildings right there. Add preschool and the P7 level to the primary level as in my opinion there is nothing wrong with adding on to a system (primary) that is producing quality.

"By adding the preschool to the primary system you eliminate the non-government buildings and this could also bring the preschool level up because those teachers would have a better understanding of what a child should know when entering the P1 level.

"Use the now five vacant buildings as senior schools like back in the day, some can be trade, some educational and some can be schools to help those that have learning disabilities, etc.

"If you have two senior schools, now adding two to three more would be more effective. With that said, there will then be two or three vacant buildings to improve the educational system after the additional senior schools (high schools) have been created, you can now create your technical school, performing arts and sports school.

"Government should be a little more responsible when throwing out ideas like this without providing a big picture. What is the current ratio of teacher to student at each primary level so that current and future parents can see that they are not really increasing the class size by so much.

"Government should also put in place a maximum amount of students to one teacher and that should not be tempered with at all cost. Also, reading the paper I noticed the word PEOPLE used who the heck is PEOPLE because its not the parents of the students, teachers is it?

"The only good idea from the paper is adding P7 back to the primary level and doing away with the middle schools that is the best idea yet."

Bruce D. Line said: "New buildings do not equal improved student performance. Better teachers and more accountable teachers provides the best potential for improved student performance. If the primary system is working why change it?"

And Teresa Edwards added her viewpoint in an email, saying: "I think it is a ridiculous idea. The public primary school system is the only untainted education system at this point. If nothing is wrong with it why change?

"They introduced the middle school system and that has failed and we are now bearing the fruits of that dysfunctional tree with all the gang violence and gun violence going on. That is a direct repercussion of the middle school reform.

"These children never had that gang mentality until they combined them all into separate districts and expected things to work. We want so much to be like the United States and do as they do and now our children are also doing as they do.

"Combining students into classes of 30 or more students? Who can learn in that environment at the primary school level? We have already lost a generation of our black children due to the implementation of the middle school system and now we will lose another generation with this change because it will only bring failure. I don't know who comes up with these ideas but they just need to leave the primary system alone."

Sharnell Hewey emailed in support of the proposals saying: "Wonderful plans for public school system reforms. Great thinking, please keep up the good work and put plans into action. Delighted of what I have heard. Not to throw too much on your plate but free college education should also go up to masters level. Bermudians will defenitely be ready for the workforce then! A 29 year old!"

However Nhuri BashirIt said: "Sounds like logic defies these consultants/government. Bricks and mortar do not make a school books and teachers do. Spend the millions of dollars on curriculums, not buildings. Try looking to countries that have great education systems as opposed to hiring people from failing countries to guide us down the same path that has destroyed their own countries."

A lady called Virginia emailed to say: "Once again, the Department of Education under the PLP Government has once again and without public consultation, run rampant over our already failing education system. In a misguided attempt to improve the system, they feel that by closing five schools and making, in effect, 13 larger primary schools, things will improve! The problem is NOT that there are too many schools, the problem is that the teachers are not up to par and the curriculum needs to be revamped."

Nelly 75 emailed to say: "I think that Government need to stop n take a VERY GOOD LOOK at the problems that are going on today on our Island. Firstly they (UBP) should have left the education system the way it was, now they (Government) want to close five Primary Schools. I think it's the worst idea that Government has made. I think it's about time we as a country need to stand together n speak out..it's about our children and their futures."

And Shandi Furbert emailed, saying: "Bermuda Government always has an issue of fixing things that are not broken. There is no necessity to close down five primary schools making classes bigger in other primary and stressing already stressed out teachers not to mention the students that will more than likely lack attention they receive now from the bigger classroom environment.

"If they want to revamp a failing high school system, yes I agree another senior school is needed and to have it focus on the arts and technology is an excellent idea as this should have been included in Bermuda's education system a long time ago.

"There haven't been any problems in the primary school system and it has worked for many years even before the era of the middle and senior school system evolved in Bermuda. There is also an issue of 28 teachers being out of work. This is not a good solution to an already rising unemployment problem due to the failing world economy.

"Please Government stop trying to change things and wasting taxpayer's money on things that already work and put our money toward necessary things. Another senior school, crime prevention and a number of other things too numerous to mention but please stop with the age-old breaking something that is not broken."

Raymanda Davis emailed to ask: "In Bda's entire education system the only schools that are functioning are the preschool and primary schools, why close them?

"Our Governments past and present have effectively screwed an entire generation of Bermudian youth with the introduction of the middle school and two senior school system. Based on this article it seems to me that was not enough so our Government now wants to create more havoc by ruining the primary school system!!!!

"Focus on fixing what needs to be fixed!!!! Middle school is not working so focus your energy there. If it means a return to the traditional Primary 1 to 7 and Secondary 1 to 5 WITH enhancements then so be it. BUT DO NOT CLOSE PRIMARY SCHOOLS!!

"I also get the sense that these decisions are being made from a financial stand point in an effort to save Government money. How about we quit spending money on overseas consultants who tell you the exact same thing that qualified Bermudians tell you for free?

"How about we look at education as an INVESTMENT and not an expense? As a mother when I consider my finances I look at my own excesses and do away with them first in an effort to ensure that my children get what they need and the best of what they need.

"Stop spending money every year chopping and changing curriculums! Allow the teachers to teach and focus on ensuring that children are learning.

"Our Government never stops amazing me with their backward and insane methods of handling education in Bermuda. I am completely disgusted with this Government and I don't excuse the former Government either. Our elected officials past and present have done an excellent job of sending our education system into the dark ages!"

'Irritated Bermudian' emailed in to say: "If the problem with the students lies at the middle school and senior school level, why not just try to fix that section instead of implementing changes at the primary level. It makes no sense at all to average people living and working in Bermuda.

"What irritates me the most is that Governments are not run by average people. These people in charge do not care about public systems, because it doesn't apply to them. How many MP's children are currently in the public system? The answer to that should be no surprise. It's like America when it comes to how many people of Congress children actually fight with the US in wars, there are maybe two or three people who let their children go off to war.

"Changing the primary system will CHANGE NOTHING!! If the problem lies at the middle school level, fix that. I don't understand why Bermuda went with the middle school system anyway, especially because it was a failing system in the US at the time, and still is failing. Sometimes I just wonder what is the real motive behind the decisions that get made or passed.

"Even if the people of Bermuda object to this, it will make no difference. The Government doesn't care what the public think, they will still do whatever they want and pass whatever they want."

Katharyn J. Albouy-Grant had her say: "I feel that they shouldn't do this because 28 teachers would be out of jobs and right now is not the time for anybody to be out of a job, but that's just my opinion. I also feel that they should have left the school system how it was. When you think about what are forefathers fought for, the system has totally undermined their whole goal and objective for a better education system."

There was also a vigorous debate on our Facebook page with people generally against the idea of shutting five primary schools.

Nathan Atcheson said: "Don't build/close schools....just admit that adopting the middle school concept and building a mega-high school was a ridiculous idea....re-set the primary to high school system and re-open middle schools as high schools."

Kisha Douglas followed, saying: "It's not going to improve anything.. Haven't they seen the mess they have created with the mega high school... There was nothing wrong with 7yrs of primary school and 5yrs of high school.. Wake up why create unnecessary issues with the school system..."

And Mike Hardy wrote: "This is clearly a cost saving measure. 20/22 kids per class is not a good number for excellent education."

Then Omar James had his say: "UBP had their chance to ruin the public education system on the Island. This just the PLP's plan to leave their own blemish on our once adequate system."

Tina DeSilva chimed in with: "Ok, so they get rid of some of the primary schools, and make the classes larger in others? In a primary school? This IS their foundation years!

"Are the teachers going to be able to cope with larger classes? Are the children going to suffer because they aren't getting the attention they need during these critical years? What about the College ... students who are either here or away studying to be teachers, particularly for the primary/elementary ages, are they going to be able to come back and find jobs as teachers?

"They already know that the larger schools don't work, PLP grumbled about the mega schools that UBP started and still grumble but yet they are making this decision to make larger primary schools, what is the real reason? Money?"

Aiesha Nichole Oliver asked: "Closing primary schools? WHY? What is the student population at the other schools? Will the numbers be too high? Why not create "trade school" options at existing schools? Why are the mentioned options only available to senior students? What is the point of building a new senior school? Is there not enough "space" in the existing buildings?

"Are job cuts necessary? What about co-teaching? Adding more students to classrooms with LESS support seems a recipe for disaster. How will this effect members of the community...after school programs, neighborhood care, transportation?"

Theresa Tannock made the point: "This whole situation hurts my heart! These kids are our future!! Don't they realize that all this craziness is why we are where we are at right now! No consistency, larger schools bigger classrooms...... smaller classrooms. I mean really!! Leave the class size small, maybe not all kids can benefit from a small classroom size but some kids will, most ... See more kids will.

"Larger schools are not better and not a wise place to start any kinda cuts!! What they could do is cut the gov cars down! Smaller less expensive cars..... I mean what r they used for...... transportation? While the education system is used to transport our children to their future and obviously ours!! Please people rethink this notion of downsizing our primary school system........ cut corners somewhere else!! NOT OUR CHILDREN...... OUR FUTURE!!!!"

And C. Anthony Francis added his comments on the page: "It is a shame that people would just jump to the conclusion that this is a bad idea. While I do not agree with the closing of primary schools I do agree with the dismantling of a failing education system.

"There are those that are complaining about the class size, 20-22 children is not a large class. And it is not a single teacher in primary school classes, there are para-educators, reading assistants, math assistant, special needs counsellors, so please do not knee jerk a reaction.

"The re-establishment of community-based high schools would be an asset to our Island to re-establish some pride in our neighbourhoods.

"It is sad that people would think that this is a cost saving measure when Bermuda has spent in excess of half a billion dollars on the current system and we all agree it has failed.

"However on another note the competition for teaching jobs is another benefit now we might get rid of the teachers that simply do not perform because there is someone out there that WILL do a better job ...."

Raenette Butterfield wrote: "This has got to be the dumbest thing I've heard today....a mega school shouldn't be built...what needs to happen is get rid of the middle schools 'n go back to the primary 1-7 and 5 yrs of hs....if there's a performance prob with some of the primary schools then fix the prob, bring in educators, train teachers, get parents more involved in their children's education....closing the primary schools isn't gonna solve the prob it will create probs....."

And Fred DeVent wrote: "Agreeing with the reality that Bermy's education system is in need of solutions, I disagree with the Gov't making too quick decisions about chopping and changes without some very serious planning.

"Part of the country's present anti social behavior came from the making of the mega schools which has played an intricate role in the beginnings of 'gang' mentality. The gov't of past eliminated positive constructive competition that once thrived in our shores in sports curriculums along with historical school pride that is no more.

"Basic principles are needed to be injected back into the children's lives in learning experiences and move away from attempting to making political browny points at the expense of innocent children.

"We have some educators of past representing the country as well as the others who survived the system of the past, did it fail them? Fix what is broken with what worked before. Keep it simple, why has it always got to be so complicated!!! And don't be writing any more blank checks at the expense of the parents of the innocent children!!!!"

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