The Shadow Minister of Education has called for transparency over student assessments for the coming academic year.

Ben Smith asked for clarity in the department’s set goal of 10 per cent growth in pupils’ competence in mathematics, English and science.

He was concerned that the progress of this work, which will involve assessments in September, January and June, would not be published until after the assessments were complete.

Mr Smith said: “If we are serious about improving education, we must be equally serious about measuring and publicly reporting the results.”

The comments came after Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, provided Mr Smith with written responses to several parliamentary questions raised during the House of Assembly.

The education ministry said its department planned to use Cambridge International Progression tests to measure pupils’ progress in English, mathematics and science.

Pupils in the primary and middle year levels will complete a progression test from their previous year level to create a baseline for each subject.

The ministry added: “The department has set a target of raising students’ growth by 10 per cent by June 2027 in all three subjects.”

Mr Smith later said he was glad to see “measurable targets” being set and called it “an important step towards the greater accountability I have consistently called for”.

However, he pointed out the target of the 10 per cent growth was unclear.

Mr Smith explained: “Is that a 10 per cent increase in assessment scores, an increase in the number of students reaching the expected standard, or another measure?”

The shadow minister then questioned why reports would not be made available until after the June assessments.

He explained frequent updates were necessary for parents and teachers to know where children stood and how they were progressing throughout the year.

Mr Smith said: “Without knowing where we started, parents and the public cannot independently determine whether the target has ultimately been achieved.”

He added: “This is not about catching anyone out. It is about establishing a culture in which we set clear educational goals, measure progress honestly and make adjustments when the evidence tells us they are needed.”

The targets were established after it was reported in March that exam results in all of Bermuda’s public school fell below international averages in almost all areas.

The education ministry ordered a review of exam results between 2013 and 2022 led by Cambridge International Education, which set the assessments.

The findings revealed a slow decline in primary and middle school pupils’ overall test scores between 2023 and 2025.

It also showed a widening gap between high-performing pupils and those who needed support.

The Cambridge Checkpoint Report for Bermuda, 2023-25, prepared by CIE, was tabled in the House.

In a written reply to Mr Smith, the education department said it would put “common assessments” in place that reflected Cambridge Checkpoint expectations.

Other efforts to help reach the department’s targets included child intervention and professional development courses for teachers on how to use instructional strategies and assessment data.

The Minister of Education has been contacted for comment.