The Progressive Labour Party has criticised the Bermuda Government for its “unacceptable” failure to ensure that all schools were ready for the beginning of term.

Lovitta Foggo, the Shadow Minister of Education, said the Opposition had heard “rumblings” of staff shortages as well as several complaints from teachers, parents and students about schedules.

Ms Foggo said: “During the Budget debate on education, the One Bermuda Alliance promised that education would not be compromised as a result of their budget allocations.

“Yet, we hear rumblings of shortages of substitute teachers, learning support educators and others, even situations of ancillary staff shortages; all being crucial for smooth operations within our walls of learning.

“Added to this, the first week of the school year has bore witness to several complaints from teachers, students and parents regarding the state of some schools and regarding student schedules not being ready. This is unacceptable.

“Any level of unpreparedness at the beginning of a school year sends the message that we are not serious about education. It promotes a lack of confidence in our system and perpetuates the perceived disparity of the quality of education being delivered in the public versus the private schools.”

Ms Foggo’s statement did not name any schools but claimed that “many of our institutions” had experienced “hiccups” at the beginning of the school year.

She added: “Earlier this summer, comments from Minister of Education, Wayne Scott, and Minister of Public Works, Craig Cannonier, speaking to the readiness of the schools for the upcoming school year, were premature, and did not accurately depict the full state of affairs system wide.

“Our students, educators, and parents arrived at some of our facilities finding grounds and facilities which had not been adequately prepared.

“The structural conditions and infrastructure of all schools must be in place to ensure a safe, secure and quality atmosphere, conducive for learning.

“We have talented and capable students in the public system and they should not be treated as second-class citizens.

“We must do better to ensure our students have the physical and technological resources that ensure they begin their school year in the best possible position.

“We, the PLP, have no doubt that our teachers and students will work diligently to demonstrate that, in spite of less than perfect conditions, they can and will achieve excellence in our public education system.”

The Royal Gazette contacted the Ministry of Education but received no response by press time last night.