A project leader tasked with reviewing the Hopkins Report's recommendations said more transparency in the Education reform process was needed from the start.

Evereth Richardson, the project leader for the Teaching and Learning Committee presented the team's process and problems to the Education Joint Select Committee yesterday.

The Joint Select Committee was set up to review and report on how the ten recommendations in the Hopkins Report are being implemented.

Headed by former Education Minister Neletha Butterfield, the committee decided to open its doors to the public and press this year — the first for a Bermudian Parliamentary group.

Ms Richardson said her team was sometimes at a loss as to how the reform process worked.

"While we collaborated as professionals and persevered with the work, there were always concerns and questions lurking around us," she said. "Our work continued among some disquiet, we quite understood, from stakeholders.

"We were continuously asking ourselves, will these recommendations be implemented after being recommended?"

Other concerns centred around the Education officers who were on the team who worked "with a strong sense of insecurity" (as) no time lines were given to complete the project.

Regardless, she said, the team which was tasked with "ensuring that every lesson counts" managed to develop a 'learner profile' and a 'professional teacher profile' — a set of particular traits or characteristics expected of graduates.

Darren Johnston, project leader charged with reviewing the cluster board process, also spoke yesterday.

Cluster boards came under some criticism this year. Parents and trustees of aided schools expressed opposition to the boards, concerned they might change the way such institutions are run.

Former Education Minister Randolph Horton introduced the initiative earlier this year, arguing that the boards were the way forward for the Island.

"We're looking to have six clusters – one cluster to each middle school and one for senior schools and special schools," he said at that time. "Each of those clusters will be responsible for all the schools in the cluster. The idea is to increase the level of collaboration between all schools in Bermuda. We have a responsibility to see that every single child in Bermuda has an equal opportunity.

"For example if there's a great teacher in School A, then that great teacher should not only be assisting other teachers in his or her school, but the great work they are doing should be spread to all schools.

"We want to see every school benefit from the great teachers that are in our schools. It doesn't happen now, as schools are too individualistic. This is what's important – the whole collaboration aspect of the cluster boards."

Mr. Johnston said the next step would be to propose legislation to enshrine the cluster boards in law.

Responding to questions about the aided schools and their concern about losing their independent boards he said: "I don't believe that if an aided school is having success at one place that they cannot have success in another."

The emphasis was on helping the school with boards on a governance level and leaving the operational level to the principal, he said.

Asked how many individuals were needed to serve on the boards, Mr. Johnston said: "Somewhere around 90 individuals and I do believe we will be able to find 90 individuals."