The education and welfare of children is the responsibility of the whole community and not just teachers, it was claimed yesterday.

A survey commissioned by the Board of Education to find out what parents wanted from schooling on the Island in the years ahead has shown that greater involvement is needed to ensure all children reach their full potential.

Parents who attended a series of public meetings to mark Education Month in February were asked to complete the questionnaire and explain what changes they felt were needed to improve the system and what they felt was important in the schooling of youngsters.

High on their agendas was the need for community spirit and involvement, along with equality among all schools on the Island, both public and private, and a higher emphasis placed on literacy.

Yesterday the results of the survey were unveiled and handed to Education Minister Milton Scott who will study the findings. Board chairwoman Constance McHardy said she was pleased so many people had taken time to voice their opinions and hoped the survey could be continued in years ahead.

She said: "A lot of the people who took the opportunity to express their ideas said they wanted to see equality between private and public schools on the Island.

"They don't want any looking down on public schools or snobbery and they want all schools to have the same facilities and access to resources.

"It was also nice to see that people feel it takes a whole village to raise a child, not just the parents or the teachers.

"Therefore it is vital that all aspects of community life are involved, including the churches, businesses and community groups.

"We asked people what vision of education they had for the year 2005 and, to be honest, we have not been surprised by the results.

"I think everyone sees education moving into partnerships, involving all sections of the community.

"The community should be accessible and everyone needs to be there, not just the teachers.'' Issues also raised in the survey were the need for schools to recognise the individual strengths of pupils and offer specialised facilities where necessary, no matter if the child has difficulties or special gifts.

Parents also said they wanted to see improved maintenance of schools and standardised facilities, as well as alternative schooling options and separate schools for children with special needs or extraordinary gifts.

They also said they wanted to see all teachers' qualifications standardised and wanted an assurance that all teachers graduated from recognised and accepted colleges and universities.

And in a perfect education world, they said, the Ministry would implement discipline policies that were clear and enforceable for all schools and hotlines would be provided to assist parents who were having problems with their children.

But Miss McHardy added: "We don't know at this point in time if the Department of Education will be able to use the initiatives.

"Some of them may already be in the pipeline, but at least parents have been given an opportunity to contribute and say what they feel should be happening.

That is invaluable.'' St. George's resident Leonette Georges said: "It is good for people to be given an opportunity to voice their opinions and contribute, should change be needed.

"I think the survey has been a great idea and I would like to see it repeated. Anyone who has an interest in the education of children should be given a voice.''