Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month Proclamation 2026His Worship the Mayor, representatives from Bermuda Autism Support and Education (BASE), Tomorrow’s Voices, families, educators, and, most importantly, our neurodivergent community members. It is my pleasure to be here today to help kick off Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. This year, the theme is simple yet profound: "Celebrate Differences."For too long, the conversation around autism has focused on what is "missing" or what needs to be "fixed." But as we stand here in 2026, Bermuda is choosing a different path. We are moving away from seeing autism as a challenge to be solved, and toward accepting autism and neurodiversity as a vital part of the human tapestry that has always been with us and today we readily embrace and acknowledge.To celebrate differences is to accept that a neurodiverse Bermuda is a stronger, more vibrant Bermuda. Neurodiversity is how we describe limitless variation in neurocognitive functioning within human beings. Simply put, it is the unique ways in which we think, learn, and process sensory input; how we see the world, and how we interact with others. When we say "Celebrate Differences," we are talking about celebrating the unique ways that neurodivergent brains are wired. We see this in Hyperlexia, where a child may have an extraordinary, early ability to read words, even as they work to develop the language to express their feelings.We see it in the uneven development that often characterizes autistic people - where a person may be talented in one area while requiring significant support in another. These are not "errors" in development; they are the diverse ways in which our citizens experience the world.Whether it is a need for specific sensory accommodations or a unique way of relating to others through shared experiences, these differences deserve our respect and our celebration. Celebrating differences also means being honest about the barriers that exist. We know that many families are facing challenges at the daycare and preschool levels due to a lack of awareness, specialized training, and system capacity. We know that navigating assessments for young children can be challenging. We understand the range of emotions parents experience when receiving a diagnosis for their child for the first time.Our commitment to this year's theme is backed by our actions.The government is working to ensure that: Inclusive Education isn't just a buzzword, but a well-resourced reality in the Bermuda Public School System. Early Intervention services are expanded to support our children from the moment they are identified. Parental Supports are increased to ensure that families are supported Societal Barriers like bullying and misunderstanding are replaced by a culture of awareness, accommodation, and authentic acceptance. | challenge the people of Bermuda to Celebrate Differences in your nurseries, your schools, your workplaces, your pews, and your neighborhoods. If a colleague processes information differently, celebrate the new perspective they bring. lf a student in your classroom has unique sensory needs, celebrate the opportunity to create a more comfortable space for everyone.To our autistic community: Your differences contribute to the beautiful mosaic that is our community. They are a part of who you are, and you are an essential part of who we are as a nation. We accept you and we celebrate you!
Young Engineers Shine at Dalton E. Tucker’s Annual Egg DropToday, the aspiring engineers of Dalton E. Tucker Primary School put their STEM skills to the ultimate test during the school’s annual Egg Drop Competition. Over severalweeks, students applied principles of physics and design to construct specialised safety devices intended to protect a raw egg from a high-altitude fall.The morning began with each class presenting their work. These young innovators explained their material choices, ranging from shock-absorbing padding to creative casings, before moving to the launch site to demonstrate the effectiveness of their designs.To ensure a true technical challenge, the school partnered with the Port Royal Fire Station. Firefighters tested the students' engineering feats by dropping the devicesfrom an aerial ladder platform truck at a height of approximately 30 feet.The school extends a special thanks to Sergeant Charles Butterfield and Lt. Raymond Masters of the Hamilton Fire Station for coordinating the use of the aerial platformtruck.The Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, attended the event to witness the students' creativity firsthand. Minister Caesar was deeply impressed by the collaborative spirit of the young designers."Students, you are to be congratulated for working as a team to deliberate and design protective cases for your eggs," said Minister Caesar. "You are young engineers andvery creative innovators. No matter the outcome, you and your teachers are all winners for accepting this challenge."
Celebrating Bermuda’s Youngest ArtistsThe 61st Annual Primary School Art Exhibition is officially open!Last week, the Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, joined students and educators at the Bermuda Society of Arts to mark the launch of this year’s Primary Schools ExhibitionThe exhibition features a vibrant collection of artwork from primary school students across the island, incorporating the theme "One World, Many Stories."During the opening ceremony, Minister Caesar delivered remarks and presented Visual Art teachers with certificates of appreciation and BSoA membership cards to honourtheir dedication to fostering youth creativity.Minister Caesar said, “Art uniquely brings people together. The arts let our children express themselves, our cultures, and our shared humanity. Throughout this exhibit, you will see unique perspectives and stories stemming from the imaginations of our very talented young artists. This is what we want for our students. Art is more than just a part of a curriculum; it is vital to a child’s education, fostering self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. “The exhibition runs until April 11. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the gallery and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award!
Whitney Institute Elevates Digital Arts with MacBook Air Donations from Mailboxes Unlimited Students at Whitney Institute Middle School have received a boost to their Visual Arts programme following a significant investment from a long-standing community partner.Mailboxes Unlimited recently presented the school with nine MacBook Air laptops for the Visual Art classroom.The donation aims to bridge the gap between traditional fine arts and modern graphic design.By integrating industry-standard hardware into the curriculum, Whitney Institute will now provide students with the specific tools needed to master digital art and visual storytelling. These MacBooks will be maintained and held by the school as a permanent lab resource, ensuring a lasting impact for multiple cohorts of students."This donation is about expanding the horizons of what our students can create," said School Principal Reeshemah Swan."By bringing this calibre of technology directly into the art room, we are equipping our students with the technical literacy and design skills essential for the modern world. We are all very grateful to Mailboxes for their continued generosity."The Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, thanked Mailboxes for their generous donation and continued support of our public schools. Minister Caesar stated, “We appreciate when local businesses and community organisations assist in enhancing educational opportunities for our students and strengthening resources within our schools.” The laptop donation further solidifies Mailboxes' commitment to the local arts scene. In addition to this gift, Mailboxes has confirmed its continued sponsorship of the Annual Schools Art Exhibition. The company is donating $1,000 in prizes for the "People’s Choice" winners, with the funds going directly back into the winning students' respective school art programs.“At Mailboxes, we believe creativity and technology together open new doors for young people,” said Bricen Hakeman, Mailboxes Chief Executive Officer.“Supporting Whitney Institute's digital art program is especially meaningful this year as it aligns with Mailboxes' 3rd Annual 'Whole Package Art Scholarship,' where we are awarding $5,000 in scholarship funds for the best digital art submission. We hope this contribution encourages even more students to explore digital creativity and participate in the scholarship contest.“Since 2024, Mailboxes has committed more than $25,000 to support arts initiatives across Bermuda, and we are proud to confirm our continued investment in the next generation of local talent for years to come!”
Ministry of Education Announces In-Depth Analysis of International Examination Results The Ministry of Education is undertaking an analysis of the Cambridge Checkpoint and IGCSE results from 2012–2025. This initiative aims to provide a deeper understanding of student performance trends against the approved curriculum.As Cambridge reporting structures and methodologies changed throughout the period under review, the analysis will be conducted by the vendor, Cambridge International Education. This ensures that all information is presented accurately and within its full technical context.Ministry of Education spokesperson noted, “In keeping with the Minister of Education’s priority of improving student outcomes, completing this analysis will ensure that data released to the public is grounded in the appropriate context.“The analysis will assist the Ministry in evaluating the impact of instructional practices and in identifying patterns in students’ achievement levels over time.”“Once the review is complete (projected for early next month), the findings will be shared with stakeholders to ensure everyone remains well-informed and engaged in the continuous improvement process. The Ministry will post the analysis on moed.bm.”
The Berkeley Institute Advances Strategic Plan Aligned with Education Reform The Berkeley Institute is advancing a three-year strategic plan aligned with the Ministry of Education’s public education reform agenda, positioning the school toward its proposed designation as a Centre of Excellence.At its Annual General Meeting on January 19, 2026, the Berkeley Educational Society confirmed the continued leadership of its Board of Governors, re-electing Mr. Kyle Masters as Chairman. The Board of Governors is the body corporate responsible for the governance and management of The Berkeley Institute as an aided school within Bermuda’s public education system.Under the leadership of Principal Ms. Keisha L. Douglas, Berkeley has responded directly to the Minister of Education’s charge by designing and implementing Signature Learning Programmes (SLPs) aligned with Bermuda’s national priorities and workforce needs.“Berkeley has embraced education reform by focusing on outcomes—strong instruction, credible credentials, and clear pathways for students,” said Mr. Masters. “Our Signature Learning Programmes are central to ensuring graduates leave with both academic strength and practical, future-ready skills.”As a designated Signature School, Berkeley offers SLPs in Health and Social Care and Financial and Insurance Services. Through the Health and Social Care programme, students can graduate with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification, supporting immediate workforce entry and progression into nursing, medicine, and related fields. The Financial and Insurance Services programme provides early exposure to financial services and financial technology through applied learning and industry partnerships.To support sustained instructional excellence and measurable student outcomes, the Board engaged INNAVISE in 2025 to assist in developing a comprehensive three-year strategic plan. This work has strengthened alignment with the Ministry’s reform agenda and clarified Berkeley’s pathway toward becoming a Centre of Excellence. Principal Ms. Douglas stated:“Our Signature Learning Programmes reflect the Minister’s vision for public education; rigorous, relevant, and focused on real outcomes. Berkeley students are leaving us with purpose, confidence, and meaningful options for their future.”The Board of Governors includes Deputy Chair Ms. Garita Coddington, Treasurer Mr. William Usher Jr., Mr. Nadir Wade, Dr. Merate-Kristos Place, Mrs. Meisha Medford, and Mr. Sean Tucker. Newly appointed members are Dr. Clarke Minors and Mrs. Kimberley Jackson. Serving in an ex-officio capacity are Mr. Stephen Tucker, representing the Berkeley Educational Society, and Mrs. Monique Lugo, representing the Parent-Teacher-Student Association.As implementation of the strategic plan continues, the Board remains focused on ensuring education reform delivers tangible, future-ready outcomes for Berkeley students and meaningful contributions to Bermuda’s social and economic development. Kyle Masters, Chairman of The Berkeley Institute Board of GovernorsKeisha L. Douglas, Principal of The Berkeley Institute
Annual Middle & Senior School Art Exhibition Opens The Ministry of Education is pleased to announce the 61st Annual Schools Art Exhibitions, hosted at the Bermuda Society of Arts, City Hall. These exhibitions mark the start of Spring Into the Arts 2026, an inspiring island-wide celebration that brings together students, families, educators, and the wider community in a vibrant showcase of youth creativity. The annual visual arts exhibitions highlight the remarkable imagination, innovation, and cultural diversity of Bermuda’s young people with participation from 28 schools across the island — 21 public and 7 private. These exhibitions run from the end of February through May 2026. Middle & Senior School Art Exhibition: February 25 – March 14, 2026 Primary School Art Exhibition: March 20 – April 11, 2026 This year’s theme, “One World, Many Stories,” invites students to explore diverse cultures, identities, and lived experiences through visual expression. From bold contemporary pieces to deeply personal reflections, the artwork demonstrates both technical skill and thoughtful engagement with global and local narratives. Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, shared, “This exhibition highlights the incredible depth of talent within our schools. Our students have produced work of outstanding quality, demonstrating discipline, creativity, and a genuine love for the arts. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and the high standard they continue to set.” Both exhibitions are free and open to the public, offering residents and visitors alike an opportunity to experience the imagination, artistic growth, and creative excellence ofBermuda’s talented young visual artists. The Department of Education thanks local business, Mailboxes, which continues as a community sponsor of the Annual Schools Art Exhibition, donating $1,000 in prizes for People’s Choice winners, which will go towards their schools’ art programs. Residents are encouraged to attend, celebrate, and be inspired by the next generation of Bermudian artists as they bring their stories to life through art.
Department of Education Releases 2025 CIE Checkpoint and IGCSE Results, Reaffirms Commitment to Student Achievement The Department of Education has released the 2025 Cambridge International Education (CIE) Checkpoint and IGCSE results for the Bermuda Public School System (BPSS). These assessments provide important insight into student performance as the Ministry continues its work to strengthen teaching and learning across the system. Checkpoint assessments serve as diagnostic tools that help identify specific learning gaps, while IGCSEs are internationally recognised qualification examinations. Only the Checkpoint assessments are designed for diagnostic purposes. The BPSS serves every child, regardless of learning needs or starting point; it is a comprehensive, not a selective system. As a result, system performance reflects the full range of student outcomes across Bermuda’s public schools. The system-wide summary report for the 2025 Checkpoint diagnostic assessments and the IGCSE qualification results is available atwww.moed.bm under the “Public Documents and Reports” tab. The Ministry does not publish individual school-level CIE and IGCSE results in isolation because cohort sizes in Bermuda are small, and publication of raw results without appropriate statistical context can lead to misleading comparisons and unintended identification of individual students. As previously mentioned, checkpoint assessments are diagnostic in nature and are not designed for school ranking or league table publication. At this time, there are no plans to publish annual league-table style comparisons of individual schools. However, the Ministry continues to review its reporting framework to ensure that it balances transparency, student privacy, and responsible interpretation of data. System-wide data and A*–C attainment data are published to ensure public accountability.Within the Cambridge framework, grades A* through G are all internationally recognised passing grades, with a “G” confirming that a student has met the threshold for a certified qualification. The Department remains committed to transparent reporting by publishing both the percentage of students who meet the A*–G passing thresholds and the percentage who meet competitive international benchmarks (A*–C). While the Checkpoint and IGCSE (A*–C) results are available on the Ministry’s website, the current Budget Book reports performance measures aligned to the full range of internationally recognised passing grades (A*–G).The Ministry does not consider the Budget Book performance measures to be disingenuous. They reflect internationally recognised passing thresholds. However, the Ministry acknowledgesthat international competitiveness is more commonly benchmarked at A*–C, and for that reason, A–C performance data is also publicly available. Both measures provide important, but different, insights into system performance.While overall A*–G pass rates exceed 90 per cent, A*–C attainment rates demonstrate that there remains work to be done to align more closely with international averages. The Ministryrecognises this gap and is addressing it directly through instructional reform and targeted academic supports.The results indicate that, when compared to international averages, there is room for improvement and the continued need to strengthen literacy and numeracy, enhance instructional quality, and stabilise school operations—areas that remain central to the Ministry’s ongoing education transformation efforts.It should be noted that Bermuda’s performance relative to international averages is influenced by several factors, including the non-selective nature of the public school system, small cohort sizes, which can create statistical volatility, and the academic disruption experienced globally during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the system is emerging from a prolonged period of leadership turnover and structural reform, which has impacted the consistency of instructional delivery.The 2025 results reinforce the importance of the system-wide improvements that are currently underway. The Ministry and Department remain focused on: Long-term stability and strengthening classroom-level capacity. This includes ensuring leadership stability across schools, with all primary and middle schools now led by substantively appointed principals. Sustained instructional focus on literacy and numeracy, ongoing intentional professional development for teachers and implementation and monitoring of accountability measures. Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) process is being strengthened to ensure that students receive targeted, holistic support when they need it. Each school is implementing a data-driven School Improvement Plan aligned to system priorities.Since the introduction of strengthened leadership development, including SMART goal-setting training for school leaders, all schools now operate under measurable School ImprovementPlans with defined literacy and numeracy targets. Leadership stability has improved with reduced acting appointments and improved continuity in instructional oversight. These measures are foundational and are expected to support academic outcomes.The 2025 results demonstrate that, although overall certification rates are being sustained, greater progress is required to improve A*–C attainment and align diagnostic performance more closely with international benchmarks. The Ministry remains committed to transparent reporting, strengthened instruction, stable leadership, and structural changes designed to focus on measurable student achievement. Education transformation extends beyond facilities; infrastructure adjustments are intended to support coherent instructional delivery and improved learning conditions. Student outcomes remain the central measure of success, and all structural and operational improvements are being advanced with that objective in view.
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.