UCH has been said recently of student and teacher performance within the public school system. In the House of Assembly this month, Government backbencher Ren?e Webb accused teachers of letting down kids and suggested the Education Ministry consult with private schools on how to reverse the "disturbing" trend in the public system where more than 45 per cent of students fail to graduate.

An expectedly angry retort came from teachers, who claimed they were not solely responsible for the "crisis", that the Education Ministry dictates curriculum and that legislation demands they accept every student.

Said Bermuda Union of Teachers president Lisa Trott: "I wholeheartedly agree that as a country we can't survive when we are not graduating 45 per cent of our students. The graduation rates are abysmal and depressing ... If we were solely responsible for what the students come to us with, then I think we could be held accountable for the outcome that we get. But we can't control the fact that kids come to us hungry or from a home where one or two parents are addicted to drugs, or houses where three to four families are living together."

Collectively, the island's public schools receive a staggering $111 million in funding - nearly $18,000 per student and approximately $6,000 more than the average fee for private schools, where the majority of pupils are excelling.

I realise the word "pity" isn't adequate to this situation, neither is "shameful". But a great disservice is being done with little thought for the island's future. In an economy where hard working, educated people struggle to make ends meet, how can those who don't have even the basic skills hope to get ahead? Are we limiting their options to thuggery? To dealing drugs?

From a selfish perspective, should I choose to spend my future here, I don't want to live in fear of the disenfranchised. I don't want to see our island further polarised, characterised by pockets of slums and gated enclaves.

The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) often speaks of economic empowerment; even more frequently discussed is Government's Social Agenda. It is my humble opinion that there is no greater tool for achieving either of these ends than through education.

Government has spent more than $15 million on consultants since 2003. The Education Ministry received $500,000 of that, $209,000 of which was spent on the controversial Ashay Rites of Passage curriculum at Dellwood Middle School.

I'm neither a mother nor an educator. My experience as a consultant is equally as extensive. Still, I offer the following recommendations as to how funds could be more efficiently used:

My first suggestion is similar to one advocated by Ms Webb in the House of Assembly. Produce a public report of individual teachers' results. Set a standard. Pay them accordingly ? there's no greater incentive than cash. If they don't perform, fire them.

Have parents regularly meet with guidance counsellors to ascertain which children might be at risk.

Seek community involvement. Encourage responsible stay-at-home parents to "adopt" a child who has been determined to be at risk. Have such persons commit to collecting such children from their school and overseeing their homework. As an incentive, recognise participating expatriates by guaranteeing their work permits for a certain period. Not only would such a plan help the kids, but it would better integrate foreigners into the local community.

Get rid of troublesome kids. Expel them to a dedicated facility where the teachers are trained to handle difficult students and are paid more for it.

Establish special classes for gifted kids so they don't become complacent.

I am sure my recommendations will be ignored but ? for the record ? should any of them become policy I expect a generous consultancy payment. With the Budget allocating $114.7 to the Education Ministry for the coming year, I'm sure the funds are there to accommodate me.