The Bermuda Technical Institute

The Rise and Fall

Opened by the Bermuda Government in 1956 to answer the need for technical education for young persons (entry age was 12). It was, in effect, a technical high school, and was a revolutionary concept in Bermuda.

The achievements of the school, and its 600+ alumni are legendary in Bermuda, with many of its graduates pursuing further education at a time when most school leavers didn't consider a college level of education.

By order of the Department of Education, the BTI, closed its doors to full time students in 1972. The reasons for the closure were not fully explained (or disclosed may be a better term) at the time.

At a reunion of alumni in 1987, it was disclosed by former Premier, Sir J. David Gibbons, that, to his horror, and over his objections, the Department of Education ordered the school to be closed as a result of mounting pressure, due to the extraordinary success of the school. As difficult as this is to be believed, the Tech was not supposed to provide the island with academics as well as technicians, let alone graduates excelling in both veins. Additionally, the extremely high athletic achievements of the Tech students was a contributing factor to its demise also. (Sir David Gibbons remains to this day a fervant supporter of technical education at high school level.)
The basic logic(?) behind this decision was that the BTI was a victim of it's own success, with far too many students excelling in both technical AND academic exam results, and this was not the role of the Tech. (Bearing in mind that one of the purposes of the school was to teach the "academic rejects" how to use their hands, and to learn a trade.)

One wonders how the views of one or two people can be such that several generations of Bermudians are denied technical education, resulting in an increase in imported labour, the loss of opportunity for advancement for the not so academically inclined youth, and a huge glaring gap in our education system. (No doubt, there is more to this story, perhaps in time more facts will emerge).

The BTI continued an existence as a center for continuing studies, and was absorbed into the Bermuda College in the 1970's. Following new construction at the College, the building was vacated in the 1980's.
In 1997, the entire structure, including the approximately 60% which was built by students as part of their education, and the distinctive spire, were demolished to make way for the National Stadium complex at Prospect.
May ex-students have expressed dismay that at least the spire could have been salvaged, and erected by proud alumni, as a reminder of the heights to which the students aspired during the good old "Tech" days.

Attempts have been made to offer technical education in Bermuda, however, no similar level has been achieved, with the emphasis, until recent completion of CedarBridge Academy (a mega-middle school), being on technical education only for school leavers. Cedarbridge offers some (but not all) of the subjects that were available to BTI students, however, the priority at Cedarbridge is still academics.
The Bermuda College offers some technical training, however this is for secondary school leavers. The success of the Tech was that technical, hands on training was given to high school students, and many graduated at age 16 or 17 with intermediate qualifications in technical trades, as well as academic results to be proud of. These graduates were then able to enter the workforce and be productive employees from the start of their working lives, and as such, commanded and received respect from employers and peers alike. Self respect and confidence motivated these young men to further advancement in their chosen trades, resulting in many of todays managers and business owners proudly proclaiming they owe it all to the opportunities given to them as students of the Bermuda Technical Institute.

There is no doubt that the closing of the Tech was a mistake, and hopefully a mistake that one may learn from. The education system in Bermuda has (and had) many positive aspects, changes or removal of those successfull programmes should be very carefully analyzed to determine the long range effects before implementation. Public opinion strongly supports the feeling that the closure of the Tech was one of those acts that was to the detriment of the island and our young people, and, understanding that the school will not re-open, we hope that at least a lesson was learned by our Education Department to enhance, not destroy, those parts of the system that are filling a need. The narrow sighted opinions of one or two people should not be allowed to destroy the hopes and dreams of our young people, and any major change should be very carefully thought out, with vision to the future, and full and frank discussion.

This somewhat biased, opinionated summary of the history of the Tech reflects the views of many of the BTI alumni, including the many part time and evening students, as well as members of the public, some of whom were not even born at the time of the school's history. Such is the legacy and reputation of one of Bermuda's most succesful educational facilities.

Bermuda is the poorer for the removal of high school level technical education from the system. The memories of the Tech, the brotherhood that existed (and to some extent still does), the friendships and bonds that were formed at the first integrated school in Bermuda will not pass.

This is a draft of the proposed text for this page, certain precise information, such as some dates is yet to be entered.

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