Parents fear 'unacceptable' pre-school understaffing

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12: Parents have raised concerns about potential “understaffing” in some of the island’s pre-schools.

They fear their children’s educations will suffer if the teacher-pupil ratio goes above 1:10.

Earlier this year Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith said the teacher-pupil ratio in pre-school classes would not be hit by job cuts, and would be 1:9.

But parents at St Paul’s Pre-School in Paget fear their young sons and daughters will end up in a classroom of 30 pupils and just two teachers.

Calvannae Jones’s four-year-old son, Kennicko, is due to start at St Paul’s in September.

Attention

The 24-year-old mom said: “We have been told that there will be 30 pupils in the class and just two teachers.

“If that is the case then I am worried that he will not receive the attention he needs.

“I believe there are also two autistic children in the class.

“In my view that is too much for two teachers to deal with and could affect the experience he gets in school.”

Another parent of a pupil at St Paul’s Pre-School added: “I am concerned about the level of attention my child will receive if there are to be 15 children to each qualified teacher.

“I feel there will not be enough time allocated to each child, ensuring that they are grasping the first, basic steps in education which are so vital and taught in pre-school.

“I am appalled that a government that publicly speaks out about the importance of education in our young population can raise the teacher to child ratio to 1:15 when the ruling not so long ago was 1:10 or less.”

The Bermuda Sun understands a similar situation could also arise at Lyceum Pre-School.

Carlita Burgess said: “I’m concerned about my granddaughter attending Lyceum Pre-School.

“I’m horrified that this could pose a great problem.

“I feel as though future generations are being cheated while all is done for offenders of all sorts.

Appalled

“Us as a country have to be appalled, as it’s unacceptable.

“Little toddlers three and four-years-old will find it difficult transitioning from nursery to pre-school. This will be a sea of crying , screaming, and very unsettled children.

“Not to mention the calls parents will get for every day as teachers will not be able to cope.

“What can those responsible for educational cutbacks have to say about this? They found the money for the police budget. Take a bite out of crime and apply it to education”.

The Bermuda Sun contacted the Department of Communication and Information for Government comment but received no response by the time of going to press.