The Ministry of Education acknowledges and respects the concerns the St. George’s Preparatory School PTA raised regarding the decision to discontinue Primary 1 (P1) enrolments starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. We remain committed to ensuring the education reform process is as transparent and collaborative as possible.

Last evening (November 28, 2024), representatives from the Ministry of Education, including the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and the Acting Lead of the Education Reform Unit, met with the PTA executive to address their concerns and provide further clarity on the rationale behind this decision.

The decision to pause P1 enrolments was made with careful consideration of its long-term implications. Specifically:

1. Minimising Future Disruption: Discontinuing P1 enrolments allows for a natural phase-out of St. George’s Preparatory School. This approach reduces the number of students who would later face the challenge of transitioning to a new school once St. George’s Prep eventually closes.
2. Prioritising Stability for Students: Allowing continued P1 enrolments would lead to a larger student body needing to navigate the eventual closure and relocation process.

We understand that these are difficult decisions, and we recognise the vital role that St. George’s Prep has played in the community. During our meeting, the PTA executive shared their preference for maintaining P1 enrolments while expressing a commitment to collaboratively managing the eventual transition process.

The Ministry remains dedicated to minimising disruption while achieving education reform goals. To that end, we will work closely with the PTA and other stakeholders to ensure that any transitions are handled with care and that the needs of students and families remain at the forefront.

A joint statement reflecting this collaboration will be issued later today to reaffirm our commitment to transparency and partnership. We also welcome continued dialogue and input from the community as we move forward.

Together, we can ensure a smooth and equitable transition that supports the educational needs of all Bermuda’s students.