Future needs of Bermuda’s schools were highlighted by the Minister of Education today when he celebrated World Teachers’ Day.

Diallo Rabain was at the Global Education Leaders Partnership convening in Tokyo, Japan.

He said: “Today, I join ministerial colleagues and governments here and around the world to acknowledge World Teachers’ Day.

“We cannot and will not underestimate the instrumental role teachers play in transforming learning and schooling for Bermuda’s children and young people and our country.

“I encourage all young people, parents and guardians and members of the Bermudian community to acknowledge and thank a teacher today.”

His comments came after two hard-hitting statements from the Bermuda Union of Teachers, which raised concerns last month about school infrastructure and pay, among others.

Mr Rabain said today: “The theme of World Teachers’ Day 2023 — the teachers we need for the education we want — has been evident at the Global Education Leaders Partnership conference, the associated school and district visits and is very much a focus of our own reform journey in Bermuda.

“According to the most recent estimates by Unesco and the Teacher Task Force 2023, the world is short of around 12.9 million additional teachers in primary education and some 31.1 million in secondary education if we are to achieve universal basic education by 2030.

“While we may not face these challenges to the same degree, Bermuda is not immune.

“While the Department of Education and its union partners are working together to curb attrition and enhance teacher motivation and retention, the Education Reform Unit has initiated work to better understand Bermuda’s future education workforce needs.”

He added: “It would be contradictory of us, as we focus on better preparing the future workforce for all sectors and industries across the country through signature learning programmes, to not dedicate the same amount of energy and effort to our own workforce.

“The future educational workforce includes not just teachers as traditionally understood; signature schools, the signature learning programmes, foundational 21st-century skills, and the new curriculum more generally will require incorporating members of partner business, public service, community, and research organisations as participants in teaching and learning.

"Within both parish primary schools and senior signature schools, the desire for a more comprehensive approach to a young person’s development will require a more diverse staffing profile to accommodate adults who fulfil the social-emotional requirements of a more inclusive and culturally responsive school system.“

Mr Rabain said: “So today, World Teachers’ Day 2023, we recognise and celebrate the dedication, passion and commitment of all of our educators, paraprofessionals and leaders across the island and invite you to join us in shaping the future of our system.”