Bermuda's Teacher of The Year Edwin Small spoke about the importance of teamwork in education when he addressed members of the Phi Delta Kappa international teaching organisation.

Gathered at Paget Primary School last week, Mr. Small, who was last year awarded the title of Bermuda's top teacher, said it was important for every country to build a strong educational team in order to achieve success.

He said if each group within the school systems worldwide, from students, parents and teachers to administrators were asked what their problems and solutions to education were, they would each cite something different.

Mr. Small said: "Is it any wonder then that with all this internal finger pointing, that education has been the scapegoat, the laughing-stock, the whipping boy, the comic relief of almost every society from time immemorial.

"Wouldn't it be nice if all the shareholders in the education system could get together and work as a team?

"If we want to really become a team we must realise that we are all educators. Thus, it is not about connecting teams, it is about building a strong team."