criticised by a Parent Teachers Association.

The Dellwood PTA is worried that the Northlands school site is inadequate for primary school children, who are scheduled to be schooled there in three years.

The organisation says it lacks a proper sized playing field, a decent hall to schedule school plays and ramps and elevators to accommodate wheelchair users.

In 1997, Northlands will be converted to a primary school while Dellwood Primary School will be upgraded to a middle school serving students between the ages of 12 through 14.

Some 20 years ago, Northlands was a primary school and Dellwood served students aged five through 18.

Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said he was aware many parents were concerned about the Northlands site and that he had received a letter a year ago which outlined the major points.

But he said that since receiving the letter, his restructuring team had met with the Dellwood PTA and that another meeting was planned for May 4.

At that time, he said, the parents would be given as accurate a picture of the Ministry's plans as possible and that their worries would be dealt with as they arose.

"The implementation team will explain what will be done to turn Northlands into a good primary school,'' he said. "We are happy they are willing to be part of the solution.'' Mr. John Morbey, who is facilities manager, said the planned work would be done with the PTA's fears in mind.

As an example, he said that Northlands would be totally accessible to wheelchairs and have six extra classrooms.

There would be an art, music and computer centre, while the present car park would be dug up and grass planted.

The present playing field across the road would be lengthened from 170 feet to 220 feet, which Mr. Morbey said was considered big enough for primary school children.

Though a clear plan on how planners would ensure the safety of children, who would have to cross the street to use the field, has not emerged yet, Mr.

Morbey said the Ministry was exploring possible use of traffic lights.

Much of the building will take place during the summer of 1996.

Yesterday, PTA president Mrs. Amatullah Bashir was reluctant to go into specific objections to the Ministry's plans because she said negotiations were still ongoing.

"The Ministry has used eloquent, beautiful words but the whole Northlands package is not good enough,'' she said. "They asked for parents to be involved but they never sold us on the idea in the first place.

"We were of the impression that the Ministry wanted us just to look at it. We never thought that they had already made their mind up that Northlands would become a primary school.

"Parents who are planning to enrol their kids in Dellwood two years from now fully expect them to finish their primary career there, but if this plan goes ahead they will be going to Northlands.

"This is not just about classrooms. School is one of the most vital experiences a child will have. The Ministry is under a deadline, but should our kids be the victim of their time schedule?''