Bermuda’s public education system is once again at a crossroads. We can’t keep pretending things are fine. We have to be honest about where we are and get serious about how we move forward.

We have many dedicated and caring teachers who pour their hearts into their work. But we also have teachers who are underperforming and have been allowed to continue without real intervention. We have hard-working students who push themselves to succeed, but others who struggle without the resources or support they need. Other students are those whose poor behaviour disrupts classrooms and takes the focus away from children who want to learn.

We have committed parents who sacrifice time and energy to support their children, but we also have parents who are disengaged, in denial or simply overwhelmed. The truth is, our system reflects all sides of Bermuda, showing our best intentions and our most persistent challenges.

Yes, there are successes. There are classrooms full of energy and teachers making a difference every single day. But our overall results show that Bermuda’s education system is not delivering the consistent excellence our children deserve.

Too many classrooms face shortages of teachers and support staff. Too many parents are left frustrated by poor communication, while others are barely connected to what is happening in their child’s learning. Far too many students are being left behind in literacy and numeracy, the essential building blocks of every other subject.

Enough talk. It’s time for results.

We have talked about reform for decades. The time for talk has passed. The time for management, accountability and measurable progress has arrived.

Here’s what Bermuda can do quickly, clearly and collaboratively:

Make early-grade literacy a national mission

Within the next three years, every child in Bermuda should be reading confidently by Primary 3. That goal must be measured monthly and supported weekly. If we get reading right, we can get everything else right.

Support and respect teachers

Protect time for lesson planning and collaboration. Fund real classroom coaching. Let our best teachers mentor others to lift standards across every school. Adding more uncertified helpers is not the solution. We need skilled, certified and well-supported professionals leading our classrooms.

Create a transparent education dashboard

Every parent and teacher should be able to see clear, honest data each term, including teacher vacancies, student attendance, literacy and numeracy progress, and behavioural incidents. Transparency builds trust and drives improvement.

Build safer, more caring schools

Track behaviour issues and response times. Train every school in consistent routines that promote respect, safety and inclusion. No teacher or student should ever feel unsafe in a classroom.

Strengthen partnerships with parents

Empower parents with clear, up-to-date information about their child’s progress. Provide family literacy resources that match what is being taught in class. Provide support to parents when gaps are identified in support for the student. When parents are partners, children thrive.

Accountability should never mean punishment; it should mean improvement. When parents, teachers and policymakers all see the same information, we can stop pointing fingers and start solving problems together.

We can identify what’s working, share successful practices and give struggling schools the help they need. That is how real progress happens — through shared ownership, not blame.

Bermuda’s size gives us an enormous advantage. We are small enough to move quickly, test ideas and adapt. What we need is the courage to hold ourselves to world-class standards and the discipline to stay the course.

That means:

• Giving every classroom the resources it needs

• Holding teachers accountable for the quality of their instruction

• Holding principals accountable for results and school safety

• Holding students accountable for behaviour, attendance and effort

• Holding parents accountable for ensuring their children are present, disciplined and supported in their learning

To make that possible, we must get the Independent Education Authority up and running, and do it properly. That means new leadership, new ideas and new energy. We cannot just repopulate the authority with the same individuals who have overseen years of stagnation.

Accountability, transparency and collaboration must guide everything it does. That includes partnerships with private schools who can share best practices and innovation.

Every classroom should have a high-performing teacher, and when extra support is needed, that help must come from another qualified educator. We need smarter administration that frees teachers from excessive paperwork so they can focus on what truly matters. Teaching.

Teachers today face challenges that did not exist a decade ago. Students are more distracted, often addicted to their devices. We are seeing more learning and fine-motor delays that require additional support, and more students struggling with trauma that demands counselling and compassion.

Unfortunately, we are also seeing an increase in significant behavioural issues, including physical confrontation. We cannot expect teachers to manage all this. We must equip teachers with the right tools, training and support. We must provide experts to deal with the trauma, behavioural issues and learning challenges, while also providing the spport for high flyers to excel.

No more excuses

Bermuda can no longer afford to move slowly or hide behind excuses. Our children deserve better, and our future depends on it.

Let’s create a system that is honest about its shortcomings, bold about its goals and relentless about improvement. Let’s make accountability mean something. Let’s rebuild trust through transparency and teamwork.

It’s time to stop talking about fixing education. It’s time to actually fix it.

• Ben Smith is the Shadow Minister of Education and Sport, and the MP for Smith’s South (Constituency 8)