Despite recent Government assurances that classes will start at the new Berkeley school in January, the board has ruled there is no time left to get it ready without causing havoc with exams.

The bombshell comes just a day after new Works and Engineering and Housing Minister David Burch denied the project was about to be delayed still further.

In a Press release issued last night, Berkeley Board chairman Calvin White said promises that a ?substantial completion of the project? is expected by November 30 are too late if major disruption of crucial exams is to be avoided.

However, it was unclear last night when the new school would open for students with neither Government nor the board able to provide further comment.

In the statement, Mr. White said the board had long insisted it would take a minimum of 90 days, from the time it receives the keys to the building, to complete the transition.

Mr. White said that process involves bringing in information technology infrastructure, teachers and students.

The administration will also have to familiarise people with the facility and implement new procedures to operate the school, said Mr. White, who listed fire drills, lockdown procedures, room usage and time-tabling.

Mr. White said the board, which had previously expressed its desire to move into a completed school, had tried hard to explore ways to use portions of the school in a gradual occupation.

?The public is reminded the Board signed a management agreement with the Ministry of Education in June 2005 agreeing to open the school in January 2006, based on receipt of the keys to a completed, fully fitted out building in September 2005,? he said.

?To date, the Board has not received the keys and the building is still undergoing construction.

?Ninety days from November 30, 2005, the new intended date for the completion of the fit-out, will place the school in late February or early March 2006.

?This time is the most critical time of the school year with preparation for final exams taking precedence.

?The Board?s position is that the date and timing of the ultimate transition must be carefully considered so that the school calendar and educational instruction are not subject to unnecessary major disruption.?

Mr. White thanked teachers, parents and students for soldiering on in the current cramped and ageing plant which is having to cope with an increased student population.

?Accordingly, the Board, in accordance with its mandate to manage the school, has decided full occupation of the school will not occur until it is certain there will be minimal disruption to educational instruction.?

The new Berkeley was originally scheduled for completion in September 2003 but it has been delayed massively while costs have soared. In June this year Government said January 2006 would be the opening date despite earlier calls from parents to wait until September 2006.