A parents' association has welcomed plans to raise the school leaving age to 18 — but claims adding a year to the start of a child's education could be even more beneficial.

Myron Piper, chairman and founder of Bermuda Educational Parents' Association (BEPA), said he was pleased to see Education Minister Randy Horton was considering making it mandatory for children to stay in school after the age of 16.

"I definitely think that there is merit in raising the school leaving age, especially since we have got so many kids that are not graduating," he told The Royal Gazette.

"One thing I say is that you can probably even look at introducing an earlier year since we are having problems with so many kids attending primary (year) one that don't have the background coming into the school system because of their home life."

Mr. Piper said making pre-school compulsory would "level the playing field" and let children from all backgrounds enter the public school system ready to start learning.

"Having an earlier year would actually help get those kids ready and take some of the burden off the teachers," he said. "I would say have at least one year of pre-school.

"Before they attend primary school they would have the prerequisites to enter into a classroom setting, which would distinctly improve their chances of success. A lot of the kids prior to primary school are being babysat or in day care which is not necessarily a learning or teaching setting."

Mr. Piper also praised Mr. Horton for setting up a series of public forums on education reform next month. The Minister is also holding closed meetings at schools, with the unions and with Ministry of Education staff.

"I absolutely welcome the Minister for ostensibly being more open and transparent," said Mr. Piper. "They may or may not be but it at least offers everybody the opportunity to challenge and actually probe and see whether the information they are putting forth is substantive and meaningful. At least they are offering that opportunity."

He urged parents and other concerned community members to seize the opportunity and attend the sessions.

The forums on education are on:

Monday, May 12, 6 p.m. at St. James Church Hall, Middle Rd, Sandys; Tuesday, May 13, 6 p.m. at the World Heritage Centre, Penno's Wharf, St. George's and on Wednesday, May 14, 6 p.m. at Cathedral Hall, Church Street, Hamilton.