Bermuda is an overseas dependency of the United Kingdom, with a parliamentary, multi-party system and great deal of autonomy in government. The territory has its own local laws, while the UK is responsible for defence, external affairs and internal security. The Governor is head of state, and the Premier heads a 12-member Cabinet. The bicameral Parliament consists of an elected House of Assembly and an appointed Senate. In 2002, the seats in the House of Assembly were reduced from 40 to 36 and representatives were elected for a 5-year term from electoral districts of roughly equal populations. The 11 Senators serve concurrently with the House of Assembly and are appointed by the Governor: 5 in consultation with the Premier, 3 in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and 3 at the Governor's discretion. The judiciary is independent in law and in practice. Corruption and impunity are not reported as problems. Drug trafficking is reported as a problem, and Bermuda has strict laws on the import, sale, and use of illegal drugs.

Since tourism is a mainstay of the economy, efforts are made to educate the population on the dangers of human trafficking.

Education is compulsory for ages 5 to 16 and is free from age 4 through pre-school, primary and secondary schools as well as in special schools administered by the Ministry of Education. Private fee-paying schools are common, and over one-third of students are educated in such schools. The literacy rate is very high, at 97% of the population. Private school students tend to qualify for higher education in North American or European institutions.

In 2002, the Bermuda Educators Council Act was established to provide a standard for the registration of teachers. Public school teachers are certified by the Bermuda government and must be members of the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

There is no university in Bermuda, but Bermuda College offers associate degrees and a variety of other courses. Teacher training scholarships are awarded annually by the Ministry of Education.

A 1-year programme begins at age 4. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 37% All 61 teachers working at this level are women and all are trained. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 7 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 5 to 16. Primary school begins at age 5 and continues for 6 years. 50% of primary students are girls. At this level 35% of education is private. The Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) is 102%. Of students who enrol in Grade 1, 95% reach the last grade of primary school. 548 teachers (88% female) work at this level, and all are trained. The PTR is 9 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 11 and is completed in 7 years. At this level 41% of education is private. The GER is 86%. There are 651 secondary teachers, 347 (67% female) in lower secondary and 304 (67% female) in upper secondary. All teachers at this level are trained. The PTR in secondary education is 7 : 1.

1,960 students (55% female) study in tertiary institutions, giving a GER of 62%. Moreover, 1,018 Bermudan students study abroad, mainly in the USA (633), Canada (250), the UK (182), Australia (10) and Trinidad and Tobago (3).

2 special education facilities are available for disabled and impaired children. A specially equipped housing complex is available for physically impaired adolescents and adults. In 2000, an agency was established to oversee the implementation of universally recognised human rights for disabled persons. There are more permanently disabled and needy people in Bermuda than there are places for them to live or study.

No recent information is available on the situation of refugees in Bermuda.

Bermuda has a population of remarkably diverse origins. 60% of Bermuda's population is of African ancestry, and the balance is of European ancestry. Native American ancestry is almost never mentioned, and records for this demographic group are not kept.

Reports do not cite any restriction of academic freedom.

Boys and girls have equal educational opportunities at all levels of the public and private system. Bermuda has worked to decrease gender disparity by providing equal education opportunities.

The 1996 Education Act's Code of Conduct ensures school attendance and is rigidly enforced by the Ministry of Education.

Teachers employed in public schools must be members of the Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT), an EI affiliate. Qualified teachers at private schools are eligible for membership. BUT has a representative on the Labour Advisory Council and Public Service Superannuation Board, both official government authorities.