Education hit the headlines with two popular primary schools being saved from closure.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, confirmed on May 1 that West End and St David’s primary schools, which were both earmarked for closure, would remain open.

The decision came after the Government re-evaluated the process that determined which schools would remain open in a new two-tier system of the controversial Education Reform.

The re-evaluation saw West End score “slightly higher” on a history and legacy assessment compared with its parish counterpart, Somerset Primary, and also resulted in the decision to redevelop St David’s Primary into the second parish primary school in St George’s.

The minister explained: “The final history and legacy score of the St David’s Primary School reflected and underscored this area’s unique character and rich history.

“It became clear that St David’s Primary deserved a distinct status.”

He added: “Consequently, we have decided to redevelop this site as a second primary school for the St George’s parish.

“This decision reflects our recognition of St David’s as a place of learning and a vital community hub.”

The decision meant that Somerset Primary and St George’s Prep will eventually close and upgrades the number of parish primary schools under the new reform from ten to 11.

The Somerset Primary PTAwas “deeply saddened” by the ministry’s decision and theSt George’s Preparatory PTA said the Government “prioritised politics over what’s best for children”, calling for Mr Rabain to resign.

Christopher Gauntlett, the One Bermuda Alliance candidate for Sandys South Central, said the ministry “botched this process” and also called for the minister’s resignation.

Schools remained in the news when a lack of staff caused Harrington Sound and Dalton E Tucker Primaries to close for one day.

Dante Cooper, general secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, said Harrington Sound’s closure could have been avoided with proper planning and additional qualified substitute teachers.

He explained: “They are being informed that the list is full, yet there continues to be a significant shortage of substitute teachers, which compounds the pressure on our current teachers and compromises their ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which is vital.

“Additionally, the lack of qualified substitutes means that support staff, who are not trained as teachers, are being asked to cover classes.

“This has a direct impact on students, who are losing valuable instruction time as a result.”

Kalmar Richards, the Commissioner of Education, said the ministry was “unaware of any specific concerns of Dalton E Tucker staff that would lead to any form of industrial action”.

She added: “The department will engage in discussions with the BUT to address concerns around coverage for absences and the utilisation of substitute teachers in general.

“Our priority remains the education and safety of our students, and we are striving to minimise any impact on their learning experiences.”

A bomb threat sent to LF Wade International Airport on May 5 prompted an evacuation of the terminal and caused flights to and from the island to be diverted or cancelled.

The pilot of a British Airways flight issued a mayday call; reserved for the most severe emergencies, after learning of the threat, which was also sent to other Overseas Territories, and had to wait 40 minutes for disembarkation apparatus to arrive.

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, said officials in Bermuda are working with authorities in these territories, the United States and Britain to “trace and stop the source of these hoaxes”.

She added: “We are being supported by UK experts in law enforcement and airport security to further upskill relevant officials on bomb-threat assessment processes, and to ensure that the high standards of security required of our critical national infrastructure are maintained and improved.”

Several acts of violence took place in May, including a shooting on Middle Town Lane that injured four people and a fatal stabbing on Horseshoe Bay on Bermuda Day.

Twenty-year-old Zijae Jones became the first murder victim of 2024. Dahny Simmons-Outerbridge, 18, was charged with causing his death three days later.

Voters in Smith’s Northelected a new MP to the House of Assembly, with the OBA’s Robert King defeating independent candidate Sir John Swan and Progressive Labour Party senator Lindsay Simmons.

Mr King garnered 209 votes, Sir John, a former premier, received 184 and Ms Simmons secured 181 in the by-election, which was triggered by Michael Dunkley, another former premier, who retired from politics in March.