Good morning, Members of the Media:Attached is the Ministerial Statement delivered by Minister of Education, Senator, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, regarding an update on the Bermuda Public School System (BPSS) Stabilization and Transformation. Bermuda Public School System (BPSS) Stabilization and Transformation Update 2025 

Today, the Ministry of Education welcomed back students, parents, and educators across the island for the start of the new academic year. The Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, MP, and the Commissioner of Education, Kalmar Richards, greeted families at schools to mark the occasion and share important updates on the ongoing transformation of the Bermuda Public School System (BPSS).Minister Caesar emphasized the Ministry’s focus on balancing long-term transformation with immediate stability in schools.The Minister said, “Education transformation is a generational undertaking. While we continue the work of our master plan, including a realistic infrastructure strategy, we must also provide stability and maintain focus on improving the teaching and learning taking place in our schools today. Following a review of the transformation programme, the Ministry determined the best way forward would be to defer certain aspects of transformation to stabilize, strengthen, and deliver education that truly serves every child.”  The following work will continue to be accelerated to complete the transformation projects comprehensively:  The development work and transition planning for the Signature Learning Programmes is ongoing by the Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy and Sandys Secondary School in preparation for September 2026, and will progress as planned.  Francis Patton, Purvis, Harrington Sound and Elliot Parish Primary Schools will continue with the phasing in of their Parish School Features and strengthening their learning communities.  The Signature School for Exceptionalities remains a high system priority. This term, a design team will begin the developmental work that will shape the vision for this specific signature school. The following project activity will be deferred to strengthen planning, programming and cross-ministry coordination.  The timeline provided to stakeholders, which depicted the sequence of schools opening and closing beyond September 2025, is rescinded. Minister Caesar explained, "Infrastructure development will now be completed ahead of the announcement of any school opening or closing dates. Additionally, the coordination of infrastructure development and design work for teaching and learning will be intentionally paced and coordinated for seamless merging. The infrastructure plan will provide a roadmap and sequencing of when a school is scheduled to be opened or closed.”The Minister said, “Parents, students, educators, and our partners have shared their concerns, celebrations, and hopes for the future of education. These insights remind us to plan sensitively, strategically, and always with the child at the center. Our students, parents, and educators deserve clarity and confidence in the path ahead. This stabilization program ensures that while we plan carefully for the future, we also remain steadfast in our commitment to equity, excellence, and improved student outcomes today.”Minister Caesar concluded, “The Ministry remains committed to creating policies that support the whole child, foster world-class teaching and learning, and expand opportunities for parents and the wider community to be active partners in our schools. Together, we will build an education system that serves every child, every family, and every community in Bermuda.” PHOTOS ATTACHED: Minister Caesar’s visit today at Elliot and Harrington Sound Parish school.  

Hello all, please see the link below to the Ministerial Letter on New Cell Phone and Personal Device Policy.Ministerial Letter on New Cell Phone and Personal Device Policy 

The Sandys Secondary Middle School Transformation Team is actively preparing for the school’s transition to become Bermuda’s next Signature Senior School, set to open its doors in September 2025. In collaboration with the Education Reform Unit (ERU), work is steadily progressing as the team focuses on comprehensive planning and an exciting, innovative school design. This transformation is part of the ongoing education reform initiatives aimed at delivering enhanced, future-ready learning experiences for Bermuda’s young people. At Sandys Secondary Middle School, a collaborative approach is being applied across several key readiness areas, including student orientation and registration, onboarding processes, advisory programming, and updated safety and health protocols. Central to the new Signature School model will be the introduction of two Signature Learning Programmes: Hospitality & Tourism and Education Services. These programs are designed to provide students with enriched, hands-on learning opportunities that align with Bermuda’s economic and community needs. Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, met with the Transformation Team to receive an update on their progress. Minister Caesar shared: “I’ve met with the team to discuss their ongoing work and the next exciting phase for opening the Senior Signature School. It’s clear that the dedication and collaborative efforts of this team are positioning the school for a successful launch in 2025. One that promises to provide meaningful, career-connected learning opportunities for our students. The transformation of Sandys Secondary Middle School into a Signature Senior School reflects a broader commitment to ensuring optimal outcomes for students, staff, and the wider school community as part of Bermuda’s education reform journey.” The ERU team will support the end-of-year professional development for teachers, focusing on key areas of the changes associated with the transition to becoming a Signature Senior School. PHOTO L-RChris Naylor, Dionne Bean, Takisha Simmons, Tracee Seymour, Natosha Butterfield, Kalley Baxter-Williams, Akinyi Apopa, Neekaie Beckles-Clark, Angelique Burgess, Rajeev Goonewardene

CedarBridge Academy proudly recognised the outstanding efforts of its 16 Peer Leaders who have successfully led the Peer Forward Program throughout the 2024–2025 academic year. In partnership with Mirrors Bermuda, these dedicated students have played a pivotal role in inspiring their peers and fostering a strong college-going culture within the school community.The team comprises an equal number of students from S3 and S4, eight from each year group, who committed their time and leadership to organising school-wide initiatives focused on post-secondary awareness and readiness.The primary aim of the Peer Forward Program is to increase the number of students applying to and enrolling in post-secondary institutions through peer-to-peer support and leadership. The program seeks to cultivate an enduring culture of academic ambition and opportunity by empowering students to guide and motivate one another.The activities and campaigns they designed centred around three focus areas:Connect (engaging with peers and building a college-going culture),Apply (supporting college and job application processes) andFinancial Aid & Scholarships (providing valuable information on funding opportunities).In addition to planning and executing these initiatives, Peer Leaders tracked and documented participation and outcomes. This included collecting data on S4 students’ college and university applications submitted, acceptance offers received, job applications completed, and scholarship applications submitted. The insights gathered have contributed to shaping a clearer understanding of the post-secondary landscape for CedarBridge Academy students.To celebrate their achievements, the Peer Leaders hosted a year-end networking luncheon, where they had the opportunity to present their progress, share personal impact stories, and reflect on their transformative journey in the program. The Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, attended the ceremony and commended the students for their leadership, initiative, and the tangible impact their work has had on their school community.Minister Caesar shared, “ The Peer Leaders at CedarBridge Academy are to be commended for their dedication and commitment in the service to their fellow students. They have provided exemplary service and are trusted resources for their peers desiring to enrol in post-secondary institutions. Their support has impacted students navigating their future education journey.”“We are incredibly proud of our Peer Leaders and the positive example they’ve set,” said Kenneth Caesar, Principal of CedarBridge Academy. “Their passion and commitment have supported their classmates and strengthened our school’s college readiness culture in meaningful, lasting ways.”As the Peer Forward Program grows, CedarBridge Academy remains committed to providing opportunities for student leadership and empowering young people to shape their futures through education.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, attended the Education World Forum (EWF) held last week in London. The Education World Forum is the world's largest annual gathering of education and skills ministers.The forum agenda allows ministers, senior government officials, and education leaders to exchange visions and strategies for building inclusive, adaptive, and resilient education systems. Key discussions centred on addressing urgent global challenges and advancing equitable, sustainable socio-economic development through innovation, technology, public-private partnerships, and international cooperation.Minister Caesar participated in a series of high-level engagements, including:The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and EqualitiesCatherine McKinnell MP, Minister of State for School StandardsStephen Morgan MP, Minister for Early EducationAdditionally, the Minister held a bilateral meeting facilitated by the Government of Bermuda London Office with Janet Daby MP, Minister for Children and Families. The Ministers discussed Bermuda's Education Reform Initiative, which focuses on personalized learning, interdisciplinary approaches, and real-world application and education systems responsive to the evolving demands of the 21st century. Minister Daby shared updates on the UK Labour Government's holistic care strategies to strengthen the education system.Both Ministers underscored the importance of establishing sustainable, systemic support structures to promote the overall well-being of children within educational environments. Reflecting on her participation at the EWF, Minister Caesar stated, "The themes and perspectives shared at the 2025 Education World Forum (EWF) align closely with Bermuda's education reform agenda. EWF underscored a global consensus: transformative education reform extends beyond structural changes to deeply reimagine what happens inside classrooms, schools, and education systems.  "Themes such as equity, quality, innovation, and teacher and leader development highlighted the imperative for student-centred, inclusive, and future-ready learning mirrors Bermuda's Education Reform initiative. "EWF placed sustainability and equity at the heart of its agenda, calling on governments to rethink how public education is funded and governed to ensure long-term success for all learners. Bermuda's move to establish an Education Authority reflects this global shift toward transparent, accountable, and community-responsive governance.  "The other clear message is that transformative change is inherently challenging, as evidenced by the experiences in various countries. However, Bermuda remains steadfast in its commitment to staying the course in elevating education standards, delivering high-quality teaching, providing appropriate support and safe environments, and ensuring that every child has access to resources that equip them for the future."

Good afternoon, Members of the Media:Attached are the two press conference statements presented today by the Minister of Education, Senator, the Hon. Crystal Caesar and the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP.Photos of Minister Furbert and Caesar are attached.Press Conference BudgetPress Conference Budget Remarks 

The Ministry of Education has extended the deadline to apply for scholarships and awards until after the holiday on Monday, April 21, 2025. That means students have more time to submit their applications.A spokesperson from the Ministry said, “We know how important it is to support Bermudian students, and we’re proud to offer a range of scholarships and financial awards, including the Further Education Award for those in postgraduate studies. We encourage all students pursuing post-secondary education to take advantage of these opportunities to help lighten the financial load for themselves and their families.”Whether you’re currently studying abroad, planning to attend Bermuda College, or heading to a school overseas, there’s still time to apply online, and the process is simple.For detailed information on the applications and award categories, visit www.bermudascholarships.com, listed under the Ministry of Education. For questions regarding the Ministry of Education Scholarship and Awards, please email scholarships@moed.bm.

The Education Reform Unit's (ERU) School Transformation Teams (STT) have been diligently working, meeting weekly in preparation for the September 2025 opening of two new parish schools: Devonshire Parish School, which will open at the current Elliot Primary School site, and Smith's Parish School, which will open at the Harrington Sound School site. These teams are pivotal in redesigning Bermuda's public education system to prepare young learners for a successful future. Meeting weekly, the teams are engaged in prototyping new features of their parish school,  gathering feedback, and refining key foundational documents, including each school's Case for Change, Vision For Learning, and overarching Blueprint Statements. In addition to developing curriculum and learning experiences for Years 1 and 7, the teams are designing innovative learning spaces and unique school features tailored to meet the needs of students and the broader community. They are also innovating and co-developing advanced strategies to redefine modern teaching and learning.  Since September 2024, the teams have conducted prototyping sessions with stakeholders, including students and parents, ensuring that their voices help shape the future of these schools. The School Transformation Team members include Principals Kimberly Creighton (Elliot) and Cindy Weeks (Harrington Sound); Deputy Principals; Department of Education Officers, Teachers; Paraeducators; Counsellors; Encore Teachers; Education Reform Unit Leads for Parish Primary Schools, ERU, Dr. Jana Pitcher and Luann Wainwright-Dill; School Transformation Co-Lead, Acting Director of Accountability and Standards, Department of Education, Terry Cox. STT Co-Leader Luann Wainwright-Dill said: "The Education Reform Unit wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the late Ms. Beverley Issac (pictured) for her invaluable contributions to the Smith Parish School STT. As a dedicated and passionate member of the Team, Ms. Issac devoted countless hours to advancing education reform. Her commitment and service leave a lasting impact. She will be deeply missed." Beyond the work at Elliot and Harrington Sound, the School Transformation Teams are also making strides in the continued transformation of the current parish school in Hamilton Parish School at the Francis Patton School site and Warwick Parish School at the Purvis Primary School site. For more information on the Parish School transformation process at Elliot and Harrington Sound, visitlearningfirstbda.com. 001: Devonshire Parish STTLeft to right seated: Anthony Crichlow, Makese Gilbert, Denise McCrary, Shiquita CarrLeft to right standing: Alana Wilson, Terry Cox, Kimberly Creighton, Jenna Bean, Daltonell Minors, Arnold Manders, Shannalee Aberdeen, Luann Wainwright-Dill O04: Smiths Parish STTLeft to right seated: Jana Pitcher, Cindy Weeks, Beverly Isaac, Kennelyn Smith, Carmelita TrottLeft to right standing: Luann Wainwright-Dill, Karen Bramlett, Terry Cox, Kim Ashby, April Roach-Maule, Terri-Lyn Talbot

The Government of Bermuda proudly congratulates Dr. Rajeev Goonewardene, Ph.D, the Department of Education's Acting Education Officer for Science, on being recognised as a Top Performer in the United Arab Emirates Digital Educator Global Academy, where over 11,000 educators participated globally. Dr. Goonewardene's achievement was honoured during a Suhoor gathering, a cherished tradition of the holy month of Ramadan, hosted by H.E. Abdulla Nasser Lootah, UAE Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Sharing. The event brought together representatives of 32 countries participating in the UAE's Government Experience Exchange Programme (GEEP) in the spirit of collaboration and unity. Bermuda's Special Representative for the Middle East, Ms. Alexia Hefti, accepted the award on Dr. Goonewardene's behalf. The Digital Educator Global Academy is a fully-funded UAE initiative designed to equip more than 11,000 educators from around the world with cutting-edge skills in areas like e-learning and artificial intelligence. Participants engaged in interactive training to enhance digital learning environments and drive innovation in their home countries' education systems. The Minister of Economy and Labour, Hon. Jason P. Hayward, stated: "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Goonewardene on this outstanding achievement. To be recognised by the UAE during Ramadan—an occasion dedicated to reflection and community—makes this honour all the more meaningful. His award is a testament to Bermuda's ability to shine on the world stage. It highlights the dedication of Bermudian educators to embracing digital transformation and educating a future-ready Bermuda." The Minister of Education, Senator Crystal Caesar, said: "We are pleased to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dr Rajeev Goonewardene, who excelled amongst the 11,000 worldwide to take the top honour in the UAE's Digital Educator Global Academy. Dr. Goonewardene has set a new standard of excellence. His achievement inspires us and significantly contributes to the future of learning in Bermuda and the global education community." Minister Caesar added, "We are delighted that over 70 Bermuda Public School system educators also enrolled in the UAE's Digital Educator Global Academy; the course was self-paced and had to be completed by January 31, 2025. "On behalf of the Ministry of Education, we extend our congratulations and look forward to the integration of this professional development opportunity." Dr. Rajeev Goonewardene shared: "I am truly honoured and humbled to have represented not only Bermuda but also my dedicated Curriculum and Assessment team at the Department of Education in the Digital Educators Global Academy training programme." He added: "This has been an enriching experience, allowing me to expand my expertise. It is a privilege to contribute to Bermuda's reputation as a leader in digital education, demonstrating that despite our small size, we continue to make a significant impact on the global stage." Bermuda's participation in the Digital Educator Global Academy is part of a broader engagement in the UAE's Government Experience Exchange Programme, following the Partnership Agreement signed on July 10, 2024, between Minister Hayward and H.E. Abdulla Lootah. This partnership continues to offer Bermuda valuable opportunities for knowledge-sharing in governance, education, and innovation. Dr. Rajeev Goonewardene, Ph.D His Excellency, E Dr. Waleed Al Ali, Secretary General of the Digital School; Alexia Hefti, Bermuda's Special Representative, Middle East and Africa (accepting on behalf of Dr G), and His Excellency Abdulla Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange.