Education is the ticket to freedom, and tomorrow's world belongs to those children who have been exposed to more than one-dimensional culture. This places Bermudians, who have to leave home to finish their education, in a uniquely strong position.

That is the view of Mrs. Eleanor Kingsbury, who has just taken over as principal of the Bermuda High School for Girls.

Cautioning that young people should be encouraged to "follow their passions'' and obtain as broad an education as possible before choosing a career, Mrs.

Kingsbury says that she, herself, is "living proof'' that education provides the key to self-sufficiency and the freedom to make the choices that provide a satisfying life.

One of her priorities, as she takes up the reins of the 100-year-old institution, is to investigate a mix of educational options that will best prepare students for both the British and North American systems.

Born and educated in Scotland, Mrs. Kingsbury has spent her entire working life in the US.

"I feel that the integration of my British past and American experience has provided me with a unique opportunity in Bermuda. We have Bermudians and foreigners here -- many from North America -- and they can all talk to me because I have lived through their cultural experiences. It gives me credibility!'' Laughter, which erupts frequently around Mrs. Kingsbury is, she believes, also an important ingredient for a happy and successful school. "Laughter is a healthy thing. We shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. It's important, especially for children in their teens, to be able to take risks and not feel that they have failed if something happens to go wrong, so I think it's imperative for children to see their teachers, not as remote figures, but as people who are enjoying themselves and enjoying their jobs.'' This, however, has to be balanced by a mutual respect. "That's the foundation on which you build everything else. I'm talking about respect between adults and children, teachers, administrators and groundsmen. We all have to have a willingness to engage in healthy debate and to respect differences of opinion.

That,'' she adds with a laugh, "is NOT the atmosphere in which I grew up in.'' Her childhood was spent in the public (state) education system which led to a Masters degree from Scotland's oldest university, St. Andrew's, in English Language, Literature and European History.

"I certainly had no intention of going to America. I had been encouraged by my parents to go as far as I could with my education, but in those days, that basically meant becoming a teacher, then marrying, having a family and becoming a homemaker. That was my expectation as well! A degree was seen as having `something to fall back on'. Oh, did I ever fall back on it! I met an American at university, we got married and that's how I ended up in the US.'' As a product of the public school system herself, she hoped to teach in a similar environment there, but at that time, she was ineligible, as a foreigner to work in the state schools.

"So I taught in private schools and came to love it. I was lucky to be in one of the first `progressive' schools -- the first progressive thing they did was to hire me straight off the boat! But I believe that anyone who is effective in working with children cuts across national and cultural boundaries.'' For ten years (1980-90) she was Head of prestigious Springside School in Philadelphia. Before taking up her appointment in Bermuda, she spent five years as executive director of the Ohio Humanities Council, dealing with adult education. "You give your life to your job as a teacher, and that is why I felt I needed a change. So I took a job outside school for a time. It was hugely satisfying, helping adults, especially young adults, to be the best they can be.'' Looking back on her career so far, she comments, "One of my proudest achievements was when I raised funds for and built a $2 million arts centre. I do believe that a strong arts programme makes for a stronger academic programme. The arts also have a leavening influence on the quality of life in a school and, of course, an interest in the arts stays with you for a lifetime -- a lot of subjects you learn in school are never given another thought once you leave!'' Mrs. Kingsbury says she is disturbed by the tendency here for young people to concentrate solely on business qualifications. "This cuts out an important step. There's nothing wrong in choosing a business career but that should evolve out of a special interest. We had Mrs. Milligan-Whyte (Minister of Legislative Affairs) here the other day to talk to the children and she was saying the same thing -- that you should follow your passions, go to a good university and study something like English or History, or whatever, and then go on and do a business degree.''