Education Minister Randolph Horton believes it is impossible to feel confident plans for 6 a.m. exams will be shelved — but has vowed to do everything he can to make that happen.

Mr. Horton has been in contact with UK authorities to argue against the decision for the Island's students to sit their GCSEs at the same time as their British counterparts.

Parents and teachers complain that students performances will be hampered by getting up in the small hours, while the early start time would also lead to transport problems.

Mr. Horton yesterday told a press conference: "I have asked our senior education officer responsible for evaluation, who looks after testing, to contact the authorities there.

"I have personally drafted a letter that I will send to that organisation, putting to them the case for our students in Bermuda. I believe it's unfair to our students to arise at 4 a.m. to prepare to go take exams."

Asked whether he was confident the decision could be overturned, the Minister said he did not personally know the people dealing with the request, adding: "I can't hold any confidence at all."

He continued: "But I certainly will very strongly place the case of all children in Bermuda, who are going to be expected to get up at that time, and point out to that board the issues regarding our children being somewhat penalised having to write an exam that early in the morning."

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance in England insists overseas students taking its papers later this month do so at UK times to prevent youngsters cheating by sharing information by text, telephone or the Internet.

This newspaper reported yesterday how parents from Bermuda High School for Girls were writing to the authority to complain.

One reader reacted in an e-mail to The Royal Gazette: "It is totally unreasonable to expect our children to perform well in exams if they have to start at 6 a.m.

"Wouldn't it be more reasonable for the UK to change the policy about allowing children to leave the exam room? If they had to stay for two hours then Bermuda could start at 9 a.m. and no cheating could take place.

"I don't like the implication that they are making in the first place that Bermuda children would consider cheating."