An Opposition MP warned today that education in Bermuda must be treated as an emergency and set out a number of demands of the Government.

Ben Smith, the shadow education minister, issued a statement this afternoon when he said that the public school system still faced unfinished facility upgrades, a persistent shortage of teachers and overstretched counselling services.

He was speaking after Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, this week announced that certain aspects of the Government’s education reform plans were on hold.

She said that there would be no announcements on schools opening or closing until the necessary infrastructure was completed on the premises.

Mr Smith, who claimed the public education system was “in crisis”, said: “These conditions compromise both readiness and safety in classrooms.

“Parents and educators are once again left trying to sort through the mess. This is not fair to our students.”

He added: “Public education continues to have challenges with the reform from confusion to staff burnout and parental distrust.

“Education in Bermuda must now be treated as an emergency.

“Failing more of our students has the potential to have more fall into the negative cycle growing in Bermuda.”

Mr Smith’s demands included a halt on reforms, clear timelines and transition plans, the establishment of a “transparent, independent” education authority charged with delivering data on literacy and numeracy, and an evidence-based transformation review involving independent experts and affected communities.

He also said that resources should be targeted to hire “experienced, properly certified teachers while expanding counselling services”.

Mr Smith said there has been a lack of transition plans for new schools, facilities that were not fully prepared to take in students and “flip-flop” decisions on which schools would close under the reforms.

“Teachers are the backbone of our system but they continue to deal with staffing shortages, unfinished school conditions and the immense burden of implementing reforms without adequate support,” he said.

Ms Caesar said yesterday that while reforms needed to be carried through, a “realistic infrastructure strategy” would be established to “provide stability and maintain focus on improving the teaching and learning taking place in our schools today”.

Francis Patton Primary School and Purvis Primary School both encountered construction delays in 2023 when they opened as the island’s first two parish primary schools, while there were delays in the hiring of teachers at CedarBridge Academy to deliver some of its signature learning programmes.

Diallo Rabain, who was then the education minister, said at the time that hiring practices would be reviewed in light of the challenges.

Other aspects of the reforms have included U-turns at St David’s Primary School and West End Primary School, which were kept open despite plans to close them.

Those decisions meant that Somerset Primary School was listed for closure although it was originally earmarked as a parish school, and that there would be two parish primary schools in St George’s despite the original plan for there to be one per parish, with the exception of Pembroke.

The Bermuda Union of Teachers also criticised a lack of substitute teachers that was leading to teacher burnout, while staff at the Department of Education took industrial action over issues including a lack of clarity about who they should report to.

The allocation for substitute teachers rose by 26 per cent in the last Budget.

Also in the Budget, overseas consultant Innovation Unit — which has led education reform efforts since 2020 — had its contract renewed for $2.5 million for the year, bringing the total amount paid to the company to $8,394,702.

Ms Caesar said this week that following a review of the transformation programme, the ministry determined the best way forward would be to defer certain aspects of transformation to “stabilise, strengthen and deliver education that truly serves every child”.

She said the co-ordination of infrastructure development and design work for teaching and learning would be “intentionally paced and co-ordinated for seamless merging”.

The minister added: “Our students, parents and educators deserve clarity and confidence in the path ahead.

“This stabilisation programme ensures that while we plan carefully for the future, we also remain steadfast in our commitment to equity, excellence and improved student outcomes today.”

The Ministry of Education has been approached for comment in response to Mr Smith’s remarks.