Education reform timetable announced
Date Posted: Thursday, February 07, 2008Author: Bermuda Network News
Education
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The Ministry of Education has announced a timeline for the reform of Bermuda’s public education system.
Speaking at a press conference today, Education Minister Randolph Horton also revealed a new structure for the Ministry of Education and plans to review the curriculum.
Pilot testing will take place this year and will be used to set the standards for future tests. The first curriculum tests will take place in June next year and the results will be made public. In June 2010 the tests will be used to determine the status for each school and will form the basis for recognition, rewards and sanctions programmes.
Mr Horton said: “Rigorous academic performance standards for students will be established and enforced, and each school will be measured against annual performance standards to determine academic growth of students.”
The Minister also announced a curriculum audit which will check to what extent teaching is aligned with the standards set out in the curriculum. This is due to be completed by the beginning of the school year in September 2008.
A new hierarchical structure will be introduced at the Ministry of Education.
“This new structure will reflect the key functions of the organization and installs a structure to support each function. Each major functional area will be headed by a senior official who will be responsible for its management. This senior official will be held directly accountable for the success of the area by the CEO who will report to the Permanent Secretary, the Board and, ultimately, the Minister,” said Mr Horton.
He went on to praise the work of the Interim Education Board in its implementation of the Hopkins Report recommendations.
He said: “It is clear that the IEB is doing important and substantive work. All of its working groups are well advanced with their mandates with most nearing completion. The Board has also established its credibility on the Island and not just among educators.”
Shadow Education Minister Dr Grant Gibbons criticised the new structure, claiming there was too much bureaucracy between the school and ministry levels.
The UBP is also calling for an independent assessment authority to administer tests.
There was also concern from the Bermuda Public Services Union about the impact of the reforms on Ministry staff.
General Secretary Ed Ball accused Minister Horton of failing to consult with unions about the reforms.