The Government is looking for partners to help it abolish Bermuda’s middle schools.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said yesterday that a request for proposal would be put out today to find organisations to “plan, manage and execute the school redesign process”.

He explained the massive change would require schools to be redesigned and rebuilt and new signature schools designed.

Mr Rabain said: “Issuing an RFP will provide us with the benefit of using an effective, existing, structured school redesign process that can be tailored to the needs of the Bermuda public school system.

“This will also allow the officers within the Department of Education to continue to focus on the day-to-day work of public school education.”

He added: “I encourage the public to review the RFP, which will be available online under the Office of Project Management and Procurement section of gov.bm.”

“You will see our sincere intention to be collaborative by giving you the opportunity to help transform public education in Bermuda.”

Mr Rabain expected to have responses to the RFP by the end of September. He said discussions on how the island could phase out middle schools had already started, but that the Government was aware it would require thought, research and consultation.

Mr Rabain added that the Government had already notified parents, teachers, staff, the Board of Education and unions involved in education about the RFP.

He said: “To carry out this work in a way that is meaningful for our children means not only restructuring our school system with the phasing out of middle schools, but also redesigning or rebuilding existing schools and designing new signature schools.”

He added: “I thank all of the critical players for their diligent contributions towards executing what I have outlined here today; however, much work remains ahead.

“I am encouraged by the path we are on to transform Bermuda schools and the Bermuda public education system.

“I invite all members of the public to participate in the transformational process when called upon and thank the public for their patience and commitment to our children and their future.”