The rules governing home schools are to be debated in Parliament again - but this time they could be more to the liking of those concerned.

Minister for Education and Development Paula Cox last week tabled the Education Amendment Bill 2003 in the House of Assembly, which proposes to give her the overall say on what should be and should not be considered an alternative school.

The main purpose of the bill is to make provision for the education of children in what will be called tutorial sites, as opposed to an institution or alternative school, more commonly known as home schools. But it states that a tutorial site can only be deemed as such once it has been approved for the purpose by the Minister of Education.

And, instead of the maximum four-student limitation on unlicensed home schools, as has been the law in the past, it is now proposed that no more than 15 will be allowed.

The issue of introducing new rules and regulations to home schools was raised last year, causing an outcry among the many alternative schools on the Island, and their parents and teachers.

They said they did not mind adhering to reasonable health and safety regulations, but wished to remain free of the Education Ministry.

It was proposed by Government that in order for home schools to have five or more students they would have to become licensed institutions by September last year, meeting with planning law, or close down.

But for many schools, which had been allowed to operate with up to 15 children for a number of years, they said they did not wish to become licensed institutions and said the education of their students would suffer if they had to reduce their intake. They also claimed there would be financial implications.

After a protest in town, in which thousands of names were handed to Ms Cox in a petition, the home school teachers met with the Minister, and afterwards the Government's plans were then somewhat watered down.

Ms Cox still demanded that all home schools have liability insurance, apply to the Planning Department for the change of use of their properties, and be inspected by health and fire officers, but said, regarding the number of students, they could continue to operate as they had for the time being, provided the school met with her approval.

But she said she always planned to raise the issue again for further investigation.

This week, Susan Roberts, who runs a home school in Southampton for 11 students, said she was glad the matter had finally been brought up again. "We are very glad to see this issue raised again in Parliament," she said. "And, we are glad to see the proposal that a tutorial site can be for up to 15 students. But, of course, we are waiting to hear more about how the fine details will be worked out.