An unpopular decision to end Primary 1 enrolment at St George’s Preparatory School was the topic of talks held yesterday between the education ministry and the executive of the school’s parent-teacher association.

The PTA for the school, which is slated to close under island-wide educational reform, issued a statement on Tuesday that it had been under the belief enrolment would continue until the full transition of pupils to the new designated parish school, East End Primary.

The ministry said today that it met with the PTA to give “further clarity on the rationale behind this decision”.

The PTA had said there was a lack of clarity after admissions were halted two weeks before registration was to begin for the 2025-26 school year.

While the meeting heard the PTA’s request for continuing P1 enrolments, the ministry said it had factored in the need for a “natural phase-out of St George’s Preparatory School”.

The meeting last night included the education minister, Diallo Rabain, with Lisa Smith-Clarke, the permanent secretary, and Laurel Burns, the acting head of the education reform unit.

The ministry said discontinuing enrolment for P1 meant fewer students would have to undergo the move to a new school once SGP closed its doors, thus ensuring stability for pupils.

Its statement added: “We understand that these are difficult decisions, and we recognise the vital role that St George’s Prep has played in the community.”

The ministry pledged to work “closely” with the PTA to ensure that transitions were transparent and “handled with care”.

It added: “We also welcome continued dialogue and input from the community as we move forward.”