An urgent meeting with decision-makers was requested by the parents of parish school pupils as they voiced opposition to plans that would mean their children go to middle schools instead of remaining at their primaries for years 7 and 8 as anticipated.

They said yesterday that there was “deep concern and dissatisfaction” at one of the latest developments on the Government’s tortuous path to education reform.

Principals held meetings on Wednesday evening with parents of pupils in the most immediately affected year groups and schools, which included sectors of the island’s four operational parish schools: Francis Patton Primary School, Purvis Primary School, Harrington Sound Primary School and Elliot Primary School.

Talks also took place at Sandys Secondary Middle School, Dellwood Middle School and Whitney Institute Middle School.

Under the former reform plans, middle schools were to be abolished, and in turn, primary schools — typically one for each parish with the exception of Pembroke and St George’s — were to add two more years, so that they would run from Years 1 to 8, while senior schools would teach Years 9 to 13.

The latest proposal recommends that primary schools revert to offering P1 to P6 year levels, while “satellite locations” at Dellwood, Sandys Secondary and Whitney Institute middle schools would teach Years 7 to 9, at “lower secondary level” [formerly M1 to M3].

Students would then transition to “upper secondary school” at the end of Year 9.

Concerned parents and education stakeholders have insisted the latest change is a cloaked retention of the three-tier, middle school system with an $8.4 million overseas consultancy bill attached.

A statement sent by Elliot’s PTA said: “Parents of Year 6 and Year 7 students across Bermuda’s four parish schools are expressing deep concern and dissatisfaction following recent emergency meetings in which they were informed that the Government has recommended the discontinuation of Years 7 to 9 at parish schools, with all affected students to be redirected to one of the island’s three middle schools.

“Parents state clearly that they do not agree with this recommendation and do not support this proposed course of action.

“The abrupt nature of the announcement, combined with the continued restructuring of Bermuda’s education system, has caused significant distress among families.

“Parents are concerned about the lack of stability, the long-term impact on students’ academic and emotional wellbeing, and the absence of meaningful consultation prior to such a major recommendation being presented.”

A spokesman for parents of parish school pupils added: “We are extremely upset and frustrated by the constant changes being made to the education system.

“Our children deserve consistency, thoughtful planning and decisions that are made with parental input — not repeated system-wide shifts that create uncertainty and anxiety for students and families alike.”

The parents requested a joint meeting with Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, Kalmar Richards, the Commissioner of Education, and David Burt, the Premier.

Their statement added that the call was to initiate “a direct and transparent opportunity” to raise concerns, ask questions and “engage in constructive dialogue before any further steps are taken towards implementation”.

“This is not simply about school placement,” the spokesman added.

“It is about trust, collaboration and ensuring that decisions affecting our children’s futures are made with care, evidence and genuine community involvement.”

A town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6pm at Elliot Primary School.

The Gazette has also seen a letter from the BUT sent to members, in which the union pledged to stand by them amid the education ministry’s latest “upheaval”.

The Government’s decision — seen by many as a U-turn — was criticised by Shadow Education Minister Ben Smith and parents.

Queries to the Government’s communications team yesterday resulted in guidance that a statement made by Ms Caesar on Wednesday “stands”.

Among her remarks then, the minister said: “Decisions will continue to be informed by evidence, infrastructure needs and ongoing feedback from parents, teachers, staff, administrators and unions.

“While decisions will be made internally in collaboration with stakeholders, the public will be kept informed through formal updates.”

Ms Caesar, who was sworn in as education minister in February 2025, added: “Engagement with internal stakeholders will continue as we progress towards a two-tier school system.”

When Mr Burt — while in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum — was asked yesterday about the proposed restructuring plans, he told The Royal Gazette: “I'm not going to comment on anything related to education, as I am not on the ground in Bermuda.

“The Minister of Education is there, and I'm certain that you can address any questions there.”

Some parents heard this week that lack of school infrastructure, parental concerns about mixed age groups in the same school buildings, inadequate learning environments and limited special education provisions in primary schools were among the reasons for the rethink on education reform.

The Gazette has learnt that the education ministry informed Francis Patton staff that funding would not now be available for two extra buildings that were planned to accommodate the inclusion of the two additional primary school year levels.

Parents heard that middle school and parish primary school principals were invited by the ministry to a think-tank session regarding potential changes, when they were provided with past, present and projected data on enrolment and infrastructure.

Based on the figures, middle school and parish school principals collectively crafted a recommendation to the Minister of Education about Years 7, 8 and 9 to take effect from September 2026.

A rationale for the changes was shared with parents this week, with “infrastructure limitations” at the top of the list.

It was also shared that the data shows parents are still choosing middle school and withdrawing students from Years 7 and 8 at parish primary schools.

Comments made by Todd Fox, the principal at Francis Patton Primary School, were communicated by people who attended the meeting there this week.

He reportedly said that the Government’s recommendation not to fund the new buildings left the facility with inadequate space going forward.

Parents heard that staff and students had “made it work” since the extra primary year groups were added but that it could not continue after September 2026.

Ben Smith, the shadow education minister, said parents, teachers and students deserve clarity, stability and honesty, claiming that the system is being returned to a three-tier system “under a different name”.

Mr Smith, who this week called on the Government to publish a full audit on the reforms, said: “The minister cannot repackage a middle school as 'Year 7 to Year 8' and pretend it is reform.

“Families can see clearly what is happening. The Government is trying to present these changes as minor adjustments but the reality is very different.

“That is a three-tier system, despite the Government spending years and millions of dollars telling the country it was delivering a two-tier structure.

“We are now seeing the consequences of rolling out reform without a complete, fully costed, fully resourced implementation plan.”

Mr Smith warned that the children affected by a reform process that keeps changing course are the same children who “lived through the learning loss of Covid”.

He added: “There has been constant uncertainty for students which has had a negative effect in and outside of classrooms

“Teachers are seeing higher anxiety, behavioural challenges and gaps in foundational skills.

“Parents are worried and our student support systems are already stretched.”

Download PDF File

Full statement from Ben Smith

Déjon Simmons, a concerned citizen and parent of a child at Francis Patton, wrote an opinion article that is published in today’s edition of the Gazette.

His remarks included: “At this point, this is no longer reform.

“It is a humiliation ritual in the public sphere — failure denied, repackaged and redistributed back onto the very people expected to carry it.

“The public is spoken to as if we are foolish. Families are expected to shoulder the emotional and educational burden of inconsistency. Educators are left to hold together broken systems with diminishing support. Transparency is treated as optional.

“This is an ecosystem failure that feeds many of Bermuda’s interconnected crises.”

The Bermuda Union of Teachers also launched a members’ survey, seen by the Gazette, related to the reforms and to capture information on “consultation, workload, teaching and learning, facilities and student impact”.

Questions included whether teachers were consulted on the latest recommended changes, whether facilities and space were a barrier to delivering high-quality teaching, and what had contributed to “teacher fatigue” throughout the process.

The Gazette also asked the Premier by e-mail through communications channels whether he is considering launching an official review into the entire education reform process and whether there will be a student impact report.

No response was received by press time.