The One Bermuda Alliance is “prepared to agree” with a call from David Burt, the Premier, to offer its proposed amendments to the Education Authority Bill in time for the Cabinet committee on education reform to consider them tomorrow.

The announcement by Ben Smith, the Leader of the Opposition, came in the wake of a delay to the legislation late during parliamentary debate on Friday, after the Opposition motion to rise and report progress was approved by a vote of 11 to nine, with those present voting along party lines.

Mr Burt subsequently acknowledged that he and 12 government MPs eligible to vote had been absent. In a statement, Mr Burt said: “We fell short, and I take responsibility.”

He added that “constructive proposals that improve the Bill and serve our children” would be considered.

Mr Smith, who is also Shadow Education Minister, said the OBA would go public with its proposed amendments via the media.

The Opposition leader said the OBA had “clearly outlined why we believe changes are necessary to strengthen the legislation”, citing the authority’s independence, accountability and responsibility to improve educational outcomes.

Mr Smith said the party had consistently backed “a genuinely independent Education Authority”, and that the motion had aimed to “strengthen the legislation, not stop education reform”.

The OBA has faulted the legislation for not giving enough autonomy to the board of the authority.

He said the Opposition had asked to meet Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, along with officials involved to review amendments and seek “areas where bipartisan agreement can be reached”.

Mr Smith said the interlude before the next sitting of the House of Assembly offered sufficient time for legislative drafters to review and discuss OBA proposals.

He said the party sought an independent authority, “ideally supported unanimously by both sides of the House”.

Mr Smith said: “This is an opportunity to demonstrate that improving education for Bermuda’s children can take priority over political differences.”