Dear Sir,

It is easy to become overwhelmed, and even depressed, when reading the daily headlines. Between the political noise, the distrust in government’s ability to deliver, and the persistent rhetoric of “Two Bermudas”, one might ask: where do we even start?

The reality is that there is only one Bermuda. We all share the responsibility for shaping its future, and we are standing at a critical evolutionary crossroads.

We have been granted a unique opportunity in the form of the corporate income tax windfall. How these funds are allocated and spent will be the defining factor in whether we successfully re-engineer our island or simply continue to drift. To me, the starting point is clear. The No 1 priority must be education.

Education is the anchor for the new Bermuda. For far too long, we have danced around the disparity between our systems. We spend roughly $156 million annually on public schooling, yet the results often fail to match those of our private institutions. This gap is the primary architect of the “Two Bermudas” divide.

If we are serious about a “No student left behind” mandate, we must move beyond slogans. We need radical interaction between the private and public school systems. Our primary goal must be developing every student — regardless of their school’s name — to be world-ready. Whether their path leads to our world-class international business sector, the front lines of tourism and hospitality, or the vital trades of construction, they must be equipped to lead.

To the politicians on both sides attempting to reshape our island: the public are watching. To my fellow Bermudians: we all have a voice. Now is the time to speak with your representatives and get involved.

We cannot engineer a “One Bermuda” on a foundation of two different educational standards. Let’s use this windfall to finally anchor our future in the success of our children.

DANNY A FOX

Pembroke