Education Minister Diallo Rabain will tonight announce the decision on which primary schools will close.

The announcement is due to be made at 8pm, when the Minister said he will address the public on Facebook (@moedbda and @bdagovernment) YouTube (The Ministry of Education Bermuda and CITV Bermuda) and CITV (WOW Channel 102 or Bermuda Cablevision Channel 2).

Last December, the Ministry of Education embarked on a four-month consultation process over the closure of some primary schools. The Government proposal would see nine primary schools close, nine schools remain and one new school built in Devonshire.

“We understand that this is an issue of tremendous national significance for many individuals and families on the Island, which is why we encourage all stakeholders, including parents, grandparents, educators and students, to tune in for the broadcast,” said Mr Rabain.

“The presentation will outline the decision on parish primary schools, including the rationale behind our decisions and next steps we are undertaking to ensure each and every child in Bermuda has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success – both now and in the future.”

Meanwhile it has emerged that full school academic results will not be released as part of any education reform plans.

Commissioner of Education Kalmar Richards said during a Zoom meeting on education reform yesterday, that the Ministry of Education will continue to only release summative exam results for students, those achieved at the end of the academic year, saying the release of formative results achieved throughout the course of the year was inappropriate.

Ms Richards said: “We have to be very careful about the types of assessments that we report out on. If we start reporting out on what we call formative assessments or diagnostic assessments, what we do is damage.

“In the past we have done a lot of damage to children – we have told children who are young children, you know what, you are not capable. They are still learning and acquiring skills – that is when formative assessments are taking place, when diagnostic assessments are taking place – it is not appropriate to report out on that.”

Ms Richards added: “Reporting out to the public is critical. We must determine what we are going to report out on.”