The Ministry of Education will host an open meeting regarding public school reorganisation tomorrow at CedarBridge Academy. This is the final meeting before the consultation period ends on Friday.

The ministry has held meetings with parent teacher associations, principals and teachers to discuss whether there is a need for reorganisation of government preschools and primary schools.

“I believe the consideration of school consolidation provides the Ministry of Education with an opportunity to build a more effective, efficient learning environment for our students’ academic achievement,” Wayne Scott, the Minister for Education, said.

“I understand that any decisions related to reorganising the public school system tend to be difficult, however, any decision made by the ministry in this regard will always be measured against the standard of putting Bermuda’s children first. No decision has yet been made on whether schools will be closed.”

The ministry will give a presentation that outlines what questions and concerns have been raised in consultation meetings by parents and teachers, and demographic trends such as a declining birthrate and student enrolment at preschool and primary levels.

The meeting will begin 6.30pm.

The consultation paper is posted on the ministry website, www.moed.bm, and the public are reminded that the deadline for submitting consultations Friday. Consultations can be sent via e-mail to educationconsultation@moed.bm or they can be submitted directly to the Ministry of Education.