A top-level annual gathering of education officials in London was joined last week by Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, for the Education World Forum.

Ms Caesar also held a meeting to discuss the island’s education reforms with Janet Daby, Britain’s Minister for Children and Families, which was arranged by the island’s London office.

The forum, the world’s largest gathering of its kind, brings together ministers, senior government officials and education leaders.

Discussions on inclusive, adaptive and resilient education systems included talks on global challenges and building education through innovation, technology, public-private partnerships and international co-operation.

Ms Caesar met Bridget Phillipson, Britain’s Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities; Catherine McKinnell, the country’s Minister of State for School Standards; and Stephen Morgan, its Minister for Early Education.

As well as talking with Ms Daby on the island’s reforms, Ms Caesar heard of the British Labour Government's work to strengthen its education system.

Ms Caesar said the forum’s themes aligned closely with Bermuda’s education reform agenda.

She added: “EWF underscored a global consensus: transformative education reform extends beyond structural changes to deeply reimagine what happens inside classrooms, schools and education systems.”

She said themes such as equity, quality innovation and teacher and leader development highlighted the need for student-centred, inclusive and future-ready learning, which mirrored Bermuda’s education reform efforts.

Ms Caesar said the forum put “sustainability and equity at the heart of its agenda” in emphasising “long-term success for all learners”, which she said was reflected by the island’s move to establish an Education Authority.

She acknowledged that “transformative change is inherently challenging, as evidenced by the experiences in various countries” but said the island was on course for “elevating education standards, delivering high-quality teaching, providing appropriate support and safe environments and ensuring that every child has access to resources that equip them for the future”.