Local education officials have forged a stronger relationship with Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts.

Education Minister Tim Smith -- in his first Press conference under his new portfolio -- announced that 12 local teachers will soon graduate from Fitchburg's distance learning Masters of Education programme.

This, Mr. Smith said, proved the partnership -- arranged between the Education Ministry, Bermuda College, and Fitchburg -- was working "extremely well''.

And he applauded the flexibility of the programme.

Fitchburg currently offers Bermuda College students both the Master of Education and the Master of Business Administration programmes.

The courses are taught through on-line computer networks and by Fitchburg State professors on the Island.

Students also gain practical experience by working at a local school for one semester under the supervision of an experienced Bermudian teacher and a faculty member of Fitchburg. Fitchburg State associate professor of special education Michael Fiorentino explained that the college's primary objective was to design a Master of Education programme which meets the needs of teachers aspiring to work in the public school system.

In addition to the Masters programmes in Education and Business Administration, Mr. Fiorentino said Fitchburg was planning to add three new programmes and already had 45 students registered in them.

He said Fitchburg also planned to offer undergraduate courses for locals. Both Mr. Fiorentino and chairperson of the Education Department at Fitchburg, Ronald Colbert, stressed that the college's relationship with Bermuda was a win-win situation.

Bermuda's size and location allowed Fitchburg to further study the effectiveness of distance learning, Mr. Colbert said. "It is not an effort to expand our programme activity,'' he added. "Our basis is to develop a formal relationship so we can continue to grow and find new ways of improving distance learning.'' He noted that it also afforded Bermudians a "global experience'' in education.

WRITTEN COMMITMENT -- Education Minister Tim Smith happily signs a contract between Bermuda and Fitchburg State College which will allow aspiring and new public school teachers to further their education. Pictured with him are Michael Fiorentino (in middle) and Ronald Colbert.

COLLEGE EDC