opposes a proposal which, if accepted, will allow Berkeley and Warwick Academy to make up their own entrance exams.

The proposal, coming from a committee of teachers, principals, and education officers, suggests abolishing the controversial 11-Plus transfer exam and allowing parents to choose to have their children sit separate entrance exams set up by Berkeley and Warwick -- or attend the nearest secondary school.

Parents and educators alike have, for years, been calling for the abolition of the 11-Plus exam which they say labels children, particularly boys, too early.

In announcing the proposal on May 11, Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons called it "the best the committee could offer''.

He is expected to announce a final decision on the proposal in the near future, after holding meetings with parents of Primary Five and Six students during the past two weeks.

But Berkeley board of governors chairman Mr. Terry Lister said: "The Minister wants to stand up and say there is no transfer exam. But Berkeley Institute and Warwick Academy want to set their own standards''.

He said: "The establishment of two separate examinations sets back education 24 years to the pre-transfer common examination days when several high schools had their own examination and students were forced to sit multiple examinations.

"It is the view of the board that if an examination is to be used then the transfer examination as it now stands, designed by the Ministry, should continue and only those students wishing to sit the examination should do so.'' Mr. Lister said the board was also concerned that students, unsuccessful in obtaining a placement in their chosen school, would be considered last for placement in their neighbourhood school.

"It is our view that these students should be able to go to the school in their neighbourhood as would have been the case had they not written the examination,'' he said.

"Admittance should be based strictly on the students' geographic proximity to the school, that is students who would like to apply for entrance to a senior secondary school may write this examination but they should not be penalised in any way for doing so.'' The National PTA and both opposition political parties have welcomed the proposal with some reservations.

National PTA president Mrs. Marian Askia warned that Berkeley and Warwick could be considered "culturally biased'' if they allowed to make up their own exams. She said Government should be included in setting up of the exams.

And National Liberal Party spokeswoman for education Ms Cheryl Pooley said the education officers, teachers and parents must be involved in the drafting of Berkeley and Warwick's entrance exams.

MR. Terry Lister.