A National Parent Body, international academic benchmarking, more vocational qualifications and raising the school leaving age to 18, are among the recommendations of an overhaul of the country's education system.

The Ministry of Education further outlined reforms to the school system at a third public meeting last night. They include widespread amendments to the 1996 Education Act — to be tabled to the House of Assembly in July, and a restructuring of school governance.

The recommendations are the result of a comprehensive review following last year's damning Hopkins Report, which described Bermuda's schools as on the "brink of meltdown".

Last night members of the public gathered at Cathedral Hall, Hamilton, to hear the proposals from Education Minister Randy Horton, Consultant Executive Officer Dr. Henry Johnson and Interim Executive Board chairman, Bank of Butterfield CEO Philip Butterfield.

Dr. Johnson said: "The most important thing in improving education is improving teaching. The Board recognises that and so has created a study team to look at the issue of teaching and learning. The Hopkins Report mentioned teaching needs to be substantially improved in Bermuda's classrooms. One of the things it mentioned is comprehensive professional development. We are looking at a conceptual framework which includes knowledge of learning theory (how children learn), and knowledge of children's physical, mental as well as emotional development."

He added principal leadership was the "second most important thing", and so improvements would also be made to 'structural leadership'.

An emphasis will also be placed on the basics of learning — literacy and numeracy, and on school-based accountability. Schools will have to report annually on the number of 'proficient students', as well as the improvement in the percentage of those classed as 'proficient'.

"This is crucial if our goal is to be number one. The only way to get there is to get better, and this is why measuring and rewarding improvement is so crucial," said Dr. Johnson.

Proposed rewards include: status of schools; certificates, plaques and banners; and financial rewards. Acknowledging this has proved controversial, Dr. Johnson said: "Some people might not like the idea of looking at financial rewards for performance, but along with a general recognition programme, the results can be powerful."

The Terra Nova testing system is to stay but the new Bermuda Criterion Referenced Test for P3-S2 will have a wider scope, expanding on English language and mathematics to also include science and social studies. Dr. Johnson said the Test will be specifically geared to the curriculum, to ensure accountability of teachers and schools with curriculum standards.

The Ministry will also place a greater emphasis on 'early childhood education' and will look to bringing back a National Parent Body.

Day-release programmes will also provide more technical and vocational education.

"We want to provide more pathways for kids to get to success. Even if a student is not being successful in one avenue we want to make sure that kid continues to get education services," said Dr. Johnson. "We will blend both concepts of a technical and academic education and increase internship opportunities with the business community."

In outlining amendments to the Education Act last night, Mr. Horton said members of the Education Board could be increased to 13, with a tenure of three years instead of one to "ensure continuity".

"It will include a wide variety of stakeholders such as unions and parent representatives, and members of each of the school cluster boards, as well as a representative of Bermuda College," he said.

Mr. Horton also spoke on the school cluster boards, saying they would build on the concept of "the families of schools that we presently have". "They will create better opportunities for the sharing of best practices in the system and allow for greater opportunity for professional growth of teachers and principals. Each board will have oversight of the schools in that particular cluster."

Commenting on aided schools, he added: "One of the important drivers of that cluster will help to maintain the legacy of a school and support our schools presently in place. It will also increase the autonomy in our schools, and with that comes higher levels of accountability."

Mr. Horton then spoke on raising the school leaving age to 18, saying it would give students "further opportunity to graduate". However, if someone graduated at 17 they "will be able to leave school without any penalty".

An international benchmarking system is also to be put in place. Bermuda is to join the Pisa programme, which has 67 member countries worldwide. The programme tests students aged 15 in maths and science, language and literacy.

Mr. Horton also proposed 'suitable education', describing it as "timely screening for people with learning difficulties but also opportunities for young people who are gifted and talented". He said legislation would ensure that those with disabilities, such as blind and deaf children, would have "ample opportunity".

Government will also undertake an audit of the public school curriculum. Mr. Horton said: "It may confirm what some people think, that we have a curriculum that is rigorous and enough, or it will say we don't have it, and this means we will have to make changes."

Among the concerns of the public during the question and answer session were issues of respect for teachers, control and discipline, and the dress code in schools. Commenting on the issue of clothing, Mr. Horton said standards of dress could even be extended to teachers.

"I think it's important for the Ministry to set standards regarding dress, not only as to how the children go to school but also how the teachers come to school," he said.

"If a teacher looks ragged, how can you say anything to a student who comes in?"

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