Higher standards in the public school system are the reason why many students choose to go to the Adult Education School (AES), says Government.

In a Press statement issued this week the Education Ministry dismissed as "incorrect and mischievous" notions that students were enrolling in increasing numbers at the AES because of a lack of confidence in the public school system.

Changes such as the introduction of the Bermuda Schools Certificate (BSC) and ending the practice of "social promotion" had imposed higher standards on the Island's senior school students, it said.

Failing students were given every opportunity to get up to speed and finish their BSC at the senior schools, but some found it easier to drop out and go to AES.

The statement comes in response to calls for Government to provide funding to the AES because, its advocates say, it is picking up the pieces when the public education system fails.

Some 300 students have finished up their high school education at the AES over the last three years, according to some sources.

No-one from the AES was available to respond to Government's statement yesterday.

"Since the BSC program has been in place, there have been those students who, upon learning that they will not be graduating with their peers, decide to exercise their options and not return to the senior school," the statement said.

It went on to explain that when a student gets behind in their credits, their options are explained at a meeting between the parents, academic advisor and the student.

"If they are to stay within the senior school system they have to attend tutorials, take extra courses, put in extra time and attend for another year in some cases," the release continues.

"When this is shared with parents and the students they ask about their options and we are told about agencies like AES. Ultimately the parents and students make the decision whether to stay at Senior School or go elsewhere." The senior schools provide "extensive tutorial and other support for students who wish to improve their skills so that they can meet the standard required of them," the statement continues.

"Some students have gone this route and received help after school and in their own time and have managed to graduate with their BSC at the conclusion of this process. There are those, however, who choose not to avail themselves of the help that is on offer because it would entail staying after school and at other times that they consider inconvenient. It is these students that have chosen to attend the Adult Education School because they perceive it as an easier route to obtaining their leaving certificate."

The Education Ministry "is satisfied that it is providing all senior students with the opportunity and support to be successful with the BSC. However the student has to commit to this. It is incorrect and mischievous to suggest that the only reason why there are increasing numbers of students attending the AES is due to some fault with public education or that there is a lack of confidence in public education. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rather it is our raised expectations of our students and our requirements that they must pass the required courses before being advanced, which is the reason for the flight of some students to agencies like AES."

The statement also notes that the Bermuda College "has expressed a measure of satisfaction" with recent senior school graduates. "We attribute this to the rigourous nature of their BSC courses that prepare them to take on the challenges of tertiary education."

"It should be noted that this year there were a number of students who returned for an extra year (S5) because they had not amassed the necessary credits in order to graduate. They accepted the extra help offered, attended faithfully and several of them will now graduate with their BSC."