Young students from Gilbert Institute have presented letters to education minister Wayne Scott asking him not to close their school.

Gilbert Institute, the island’s only primary level school for the deaf and hard of hearing, is one of four schools facing closure under the Bermuda Government’s school reorganisation (Score) plan.

Seven students, accompanied by parents, presented the minister with letters they had written themselves explaining why they loved their school and why it should not be closed.

Mr Scott thanked the children for their efforts and told them: “It is nice to see young people getting involved with how the system works. I appreciate that you have spoken up and let me know what your opinion is so thank you.”

Parent and PTA secretary Suzanne DeCouto told The Royal Gazette: “We wanted to present the letters today since education was in debate in the budget as well as today being the deadline for public consultation period for the Score report. We have all our responses prepared but we thought the letters from the students would be the cherry on the cake.

“My son is hearing-impaired and the hearing-impaired children really need the school and they need the teachers’ support as well — they really need it.”

Heron Bay Primary School, Prospect Primary School and St David’s Primary School have also been identified as potentially facing closure as part of the Score plan.