Government has delayed a decision on the fate of Bermuda’s primary schools by a month.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, had said the decision, which could include the permanent closure of up to eight primary schools, will now be announced at the end of July.

Mr Rabain, who originally set the deadline for yesterday, said extra time was needed to review submissions entered as part of the public consultation on parish primary schools.

He said: “During the consultation process, 20 public, parish, and stakeholder meetings were held, and I received 131 submissions of over 300 pages involving over 1000 unique consultees.

“As a result of the views and feedback received, more time is required to develop and prepare these critical decisions. Therefore, I have decided to announce the decisions on parish primary schools at the end of July instead.”

Mr Rabain said the additional time would be spent to “continue the careful preparation of decisions that reflect my commitment to listen, consider and analyse the feedback, and the views from persons with a shared stake in improving the quality of education for all of the young people that we serve”.

Up to eight primary schools face closure in what is considered to be one of the biggest shake-ups in the history of the public education system.

Under proposals previously announced, there would be one primary school in each parish except Pembroke which would have two.

Supporters of several primary schools have opposed the closures, including supporters of St George’s Prep and West End Primary School. Former educator Ellen Kate Horton is facing disciplinary actions from the Progressive Labour Party over her public opposition to the closure of West End Primary School.

More information about the reform of Bermuda’s education reform is available on the Ministry of Education’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages as well as its YouTube channel.