Education Minister Milton Scott has hit back at Opposition claims that his Government were rushing into reducing class sizes.

And he said the Government was seeking to reverse years of neglect which has forced some parents to choose schools miles from their home. "We are not rushing into this class reduction. It's the second year it's being phased in -- classes can be no greater than 17 students.

"It's the best decision -- it will help literacy and numerary beyond anyone's imagination.

And Senator Scott said he agreed with the view that all schools should be at such a standard that parents would want to choose the nearest one.

"We are hoping in time to achieve that. We hope schools will be community schools -- that's what's happening at the middle school level.

"We are identifying schools which need to be brought up to scratch but it will cost us millions of dollars -- we have funds to do that. We are working hard to address the glaring disparities in the public school system after 35 years of neglect.'' He said the UBP hadn't even finished reorganising the middle school system when the new Government took over.

He said: "The money hadn't been allocated to do it but we are committed to doing that.'' The Education Minister said parents unhappy with the school their child had been assigned to had the right of appeal.

And Sen. Scott said if anyone heard of parents who were putting down false addresses on the school choice forms or were putting in multiple entries then they should inform the department.

"Those matters are investigated by the principal - they can require additional information.

"And then an appeal can be lodged. We want people to play by the rules.'' But he added there would be no punitive measures for those caught cheating. He said: "We will find places for all the students.