Public primary schools from across the Island yesterday received a $180,000 boost from the Ace Foundation to help children learn the `three R's' as well as science and technology.

All 18 of Bermuda's Government primary schools were awarded funds from the Madeline Joell Nest Egg Fund for programmes to promote academic excellence.

President and CEO of Ace Bermuda Mark Herman said Ace was committed to supporting Bermuda's public primary schools as they strove to improve their students performance in the core subjects of language, arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

"I am pleased to announce that all 18 local public primary schools are on board for the 2002-2003 academic year. Ace truly believes that by providing a climate of opportunity for our children, we enable them to reach their full potential and prepare them for adulthood. We wish to ensure that Bermuda's workforce is first class so that Bermuda remains competitive in the global marketplace."

The successful schools were; East End Primary, St. David's Primary, Harrington Sound Primary, Prospect Primary, Northlands Primary, Gilbert Institute, Purvis Primary, Port Royal Primary, West End Primary, St. George's Preparatory, Francis Patton Primary, Elliot Primary, Victor Scott Primary, West Pembroke Primary, Paget Primary, Heron Bay Primary, Southampton Glebe Primary and Somerset Primary.

The Madeline Joell Nest Egg Fund was established in the spring of 1999 in memory of the late Madeline Joell, vice president of marketing at Ace Bermuda. Ms Joell held the education of the Islands young children close to her heart and the fund makes available $10,000 per year to schools whose business plans meet its criteria.

For the 2002-2003 academic year, all 18 primary schools in Bermuda were funded for a literacy programme, in which one teacher per school participated in a week of training at the University of Reading in the UK. Supplemental materials to enhance reading and mathematics programmes were among other proposals funded.