The Opposition has questioned why there is a shortage of teachers in the education system when schools have been closing.

The Budget for 2025-26 allocated a 26 per cent increase for substitute teachers after stakeholders, including the Bermuda Union of Teachers, complained about lack of staff.

Public schools, including TN Tatem Middle School, Heron Bay Primary School and Clearwater Middle School, have closed as part of education reforms.

Ben Smith, the shadow education minister, said: “I did note the increase for substitute teachers — this has been an issue for the past few years. It has meant that some classes have been without a teacher and there has been an added stress on teachers.

“It makes me question how several schools have closed without making teachers redundant but we have a lack of teachers. Something in the equation is missing.”

The Ministry of Education was allocated $149.2 million in this year’s Budget, an increase of $9.8 million or 7 per cent.

The ministry’s scholarships and awards have increased by $222,525, bringing the total to $1.8 million for postsecondary education.

Overseas consultant Innovation Unit had its contract renewed for $2.5 million for the year.

A spokeswoman for the ministry said at the time that IU had accomplished “significant milestones in transforming our public education system”.

However, David Burt, the Premier, said in the Progressive Labour Party platform that the Government would seek to reduce reliance on foreign consultants for education.

Mr Smith said it was difficult to see how Bermuda would do so and questioned the consultancy group’s impact on academic results.

He added: “The consultants have been brought in to give guidance on the reform and its implementation.

“I do not see how that relationship will ever end. This reform will take a very long time and the consultant is the guide.

“The issue to highlight is the public school population is shrinking along with the Bermuda population, while the Budget for education increases.

“Are we seeing the increase in results for numeracy and literacy with all the changes?”

A source close to the Department of Education said a better way to invest in education would be to increase the professional development budget.

The source said: “This would accelerate the growth of sustainable, home-grown leadership in education reform as per the Progressive Labour Party platform.

“We also need to see a reduction in the consultants’ contracts for funding for more professional development and resources for schools.”

Staff development increased from $569,000 in the last Budget to $782,000.

The source added: “Imagine if we spent a million less on the consultants and put that money towards staff development. What could be done with that money?

“We are not putting the money in the right places.”

Rajai Denbrook, an eductor, education stakeholder, public school student parent and former St George's PTA president, said: “A viable list of available substitute teachers is an essential operational factor for any full-time formal educational programming, let alone a system of schools.

“The availability of subs is an issue that’s been raised many times, so I believe the budget allocation is not only fair, but necessary.

“It shows that leadership is not only listening, but responding.

“In a sense, ensuring that there’s an adequate supply of substitute teachers is spending the money on full-time staff.”

He added: "Innovation Unit’s involvement in Learning First is required for the immediate future.

“Transitioning to a fully Bermudian education reform programme too abruptly would be detrimental.

“In their platform, the Government made a clear commitment to making this transition, which, logistically, requires IU’s involvement at this time, so I agree with the budget allocation.”