Minister for Education and Development Paula Cox plans to introduce character lessons to the school curriculum in a bid to raise standards and morals among students.

During the education budget debate in the House of Assembly on Friday, the Minister said the Character Education Programme aimed to help students become fully rounded and good citizens.

She said the proposal was in keeping with the Progressive Labour Party's commitment made in its platform in 1998.

The Minister said increasing parental responsibility for the actions of their children was but one part of a plan which the Ministry hoped would lead to improved behaviour of young people both in school and in the community.

Ms Cox said there was also funding in the budget for a Character Education Programme.

She said: "The Bermuda Public School Systems finds itself at a crossroads. Some students are misbehaving and showing no evidence that the core values which used to be transmitted by the family are being taught at home.

"By the same token, the family structure has changed significantly over the past 20 years.

"Schools are rising to the challenge. Schools are accepting that they can assist with the growth and development of our future leaders - so we will be introducing a values-based education programme."

She said the programme chosen was entitled Living Values, which enabled students to experience values at different levels, not just hear about values.

"Students engage in structured activities, which allow them to see the effects of their behaviour and choices and to develop decision-making skills that take into consideration those around them," added the Minister.

"We are not seeking to replace the family, but rather to support the family. The Living Values Programme will benefit the students, their families and the community at large."

Ms Cox told Parliament that students would be expected to develop pro-social, not anti-social, behaviours and learn to make informed decisions.

And she said teachers would receive training so that the programme would be properly implemented at the school level.

However, she said the Berkeley Institute would introduce its own Core Values Programme at its site, which she was not opposed to because her goal was to ensure that all students received high quality instruction, and she said it was in line with the Ministry's proposal.

The news of the new character-building initiative follows numerous calls for out-of-control young people on the Island to be brought into line.

Recent events, including two riots on Front Street, street violence and an increase in poor behaviour, have led members of the public to become concerned about how Bermuda's youth is growing up.

The Minister said the new character programme would complement the Lions-Quest Life Skills Programme, which is curriculum-based and promotes positive youth development and drug abuse prevention.

This initiative, she said, brings together teachers, parents and community representatives.

Funding in the budget for the programme will cover the cost of books for parents, student materials and programme mascots.

The Minister added: "We are indebted to the Lions Club, through whom the Ministry was introduced to this programme some years ago.

"We are pleased to welcome on board Mrs. Alaine Darooyan, formerly a school counsellor, who is now the education officer responsible for the implementation of the programme."