The Bermuda Union of Teachers has criticised the Minister of Education’s refusal to consult directly with teachers over changes to school reforms.

A statement from the union claimed Crystal Caesar did not want to meet directly with teachers “on matters that affect their professional practice and working conditions”.

The statement, which came after a meeting with David Burt, the premier, yesterday, added that hearing from principals cannot substitute consulting with teachers.

The teachers union wrote: “Teachers are the professionals working daily in classrooms, and their voices must be heard directly, not filtered through management structures.

“Meaningful consultation requires open dialogue with teachers themselves, through their duly recognised representative body.”

The comments come less than one month after staff at Francis Patton Primary School and Dellwood Middle School told parents that primary schools would revert to offering years PI to P6 schools, while middle schools would continue to operate under Years 7 to 9.

This seemed to go against Government reform plans, which proposed a two-tier public school system, signature learning programmes and abolishing middle schools.

Despite this, Ms Caesar insisted in a statement that “tangible actions [were] already under way to move away from a three-tier to a two-tier school system”.

The statement said Ms Caesar’s refusal to directly consult with teachers since January 19 “has contributed to widespread confusion and frustration across the system”.

The teachers union added: “At a time of significant proposed change, the Minister and her team should be taking every opportunity to meet directly with teachers and other affected groups to clarify intentions, listen to concerns and build trust.

“The lack of consultation, both prior to the release of the proposals and in the weeks following, undermines confidence in the reform process and disregards the professional expertise of teachers.

“Education reform cannot succeed without the active involvement of those who deliver instruction to this country’s students every day.”

The BUT called for the ministry to “consult, to engage directly with teachers in a timely and transparent manner and to ensure that any proposed reforms are informed by those with first-hand classroom experience.”

The Royal Gazette has contacted the Ministry of Education for a response to the statement.