Minister Caesar said: “I want to make it abundantly clear that no decisions have been made regarding the critical next steps in Education Transformation. In December 2025, at my request, the Principals of Middle and Parish Primary Schools came together for a think‑tank session to review enrolment data, registration, and key data related to school readiness for September 2026. As the front-line leaders in schools, it makes sense to hear from them as we prepare for student transitions in September 2026.
In addition to meetings with principals, there have been discussions with school boards, unions, additional school principals, staff, and parents at affected schools, as well as with Department of Education staff, making for a total of 21 stakeholder meetings. We have received recommendations from principals on the intended student transitions which are aimed at ensuring schools have the right facilities and supporting students’ developmental readiness. We will continue stakeholder engagement and welcome feedback.
The 2026/2027 school year is a pivotal year in our education transformation and as such we are taking the time to consult widely, listen intently and expect that in mid-February we will be able to inform our internal stakeholders first, followed by a public announcement on agreed next steps.”