The Opposition stuck to its guns over the weekend that Diallo Rabain, the education minister, should resign over poorly received plans for East End schools – and controversial comments shared on social media.

Mr Rabain was again accused of appearing to suggest that research into the sweeping plans for reforms should not be divulged to St George’s Preparatory School.

The video clip included a comment from Mr Rabain that the school’s PTA would not be “in the mix” for changes going ahead.

In a joint statement, David Burt gave his backing to the minister and chided the Opposition for resorting to “political games” after Ben Smith, the Shadow Minister of Education, called for Mr Rabain to step down.

The minister also responded last week that nothing requested had been withheld from the school.

But the Opposition again insisted that Mr Rabain had not been transparent with parents and ought to resign.

Susan Jackson of the One Bermuda Alliance also attacked Mr Burt’s defence of the minister for remarks about St George’s Preparatory during a talk one year ago, which Mr Rabain has stated had been taken out of context.

She said: “There is no context in education when a minister dismisses parents and teachers from asking questions in the face of a sweeping education reform.

“Refusing to share research findings to support public school reforms is unacceptable. Sharing research with parents and teachers has everything to do with those directly responsible for educating our children.

“The education minister is being seen as wilfully withholding information requested by parent-teacher associations and educators, period.“

Ms Jackson insisted that Mr Rabain was failing to listen to parents – saying he was either “blatantly discriminating against educators and parents” or was “wilfully withholding evidence to enable parents and teachers to evaluate and challenge his decisions”.

She accused Mr Rabain of “doubling down” during the video clip and maintained that research for school reforms had been “hidden”.

“People are calling out for answers and the answers are not coming,” she added.

Ms Jackson cited Mr Rabain’s public remarks after the November 2020 Throne Speech that his ministry would “work collaboratively with education stakeholders as they are part of the foundation of the education reform”.

She added: “He also promised to apply the guiding principles of transparency, inclusivity, and engagement to the redesign of the public-school system to produce a system the Bermudian public deserves.

“A minister who refuses the need for transparency is missing the opportunity for educators, parents and stakeholders to test or prove the education reforms are really fit for the purpose.

“Sharing research findings is a good-faith demonstration to educators that their voices matter; looking at the research and determining whether an idea can be turned into a reality.

“When the Minister of Education reveals substantial public education reform, all of Bermuda’s stakeholders in education should have access to research. The minister should welcome feedback. If public opinion doesn’t matter to the education minister, then he’s in the wrong role.

“Again, the One Bermuda Alliance is calling for him to resign.”

Last Thursday, Mr Rabain said: “At no point was the information that was asked for by St George's Preparatory withheld.”

He said that St George's Preparatory had requested data used to draw up the proposed Education Authority, and that it had already been shared with the school.