STUDENTS at Whitney Institute are about to get the chance to make their own video productions and televise them throughout the school.

A new two-way cable television network has been designed and installed by CableVision, with a monitor in every classroom, giving the school access to educational cable channels, as well as one in-house channel.

The system has been paid for by the Ministry of Education, which is now asking CableVision to put similar systems into other public schools. CableVision plant manager Tim Emig said: "The school has a production cart, with a video camera, microphone and other equipment they need to make a production.

"It is designed so they can plug it into the system anywhere in the school. They can actually show a picture live."

This is the first two-way cable television network to be installed at a Bermuda school and Freddie Evans, principal of Whitney Institute, who will now be able to address the whole school without leaving his office, was delighted with the new system.

"Each day students make announcements on upcoming events, sports results and even the weather," says Mr. Evans. "We have a list of students who want to be involved. It is a real learning tool for them."

Education Minister Terry Lister was impressed. "CableVision's two-way cable system is an added benefit for Whitney Institute students," he said. "Not only does it increase communication modes at the school but students also learn about broadcasting techniques. It adds another dimension to their learning."

CableVision general manager Jeremy Elmas said Mr. Evans had approached the company and asked if they could install such a system. "In the future we would like to have the capability to provide the same equipment for schools island-wide," Mr. Elmas said. "We have already been requested to install it at all primary schools."