Public schools, teachers, and students are facing greater obstacles than ever before.

And if educators do not work to spread the positive news about public education, public schools could disappear.

That was the message of National Education Association president Mr. Keith Geiger during the Bermuda Union of Teachers' 13th annual conference.

Mr. Geiger told hundreds of teachers and education officials who packed Mount St. Agnes Academy's auditorium on Friday he could not recall "a more dangerous situation than the one confronting public education today''.

"Never has there been such broad-based, well financed, and effectively organised opposition not only to the NEA, but to the entire public education system,'' he said. "At every turn, on every front, we are being hit. And hit hard.'' Noting that there seemed to be a public school bashing campaign orchestrated by the media, Mr. Geiger said: "It's tough being under constant bombardment.

And it's especially frustrating when we know that the media is dead wrong in its largely negative portrayals of our schools, our students, and our education employees.

"It is of little comfort to recognise that the NEA is singled out for attack because those who seek to tear down public education see us as their most determined obstacle.'' In addition to the media, Mr. Geiger said public education also faced a major challenge from the new US Congress.

"For the first time in US history, federal lawmakers are backing away from their strong, bipartisan investment in education,'' he said, "and the impact on American children will be devastating.'' "This Congress wants to slash billions of dollars from programmes that provide children with extra help in the basics, reading and math,'' Mr. Geiger pointed out. "It even wants to cut back on funding of college opportunities for our young people.

"And incredibly, these lawmakers claim they are doing this to protect our children's future. Well, as educators, we know that disinvesting in education is the surest way to close tight the shutters of our children's future.'' Warning that public schools could soon disappear But educators' battle was not just confined to the federal level, Mr. Geiger added.

"We are also facing intense challenges in state legislatures across the country as our opponents stand ready to take any and every opportunity to tear down public education,'' he said.

Privatism -- the practice of people withdrawing from fellow citizens, especially those of other classes or colours and public institutions -- was sweeping America, Mr. Geiger warned.

While admitting that "all is not well with'' public schools, Mr. Geiger stressed that the vast majority of public schools were "healthy and thriving'' and giving children "a solid, quality education.'' It was also important for teachers to let students know they were worthy, former Prospect Secondary School for Girls principal Dr. Dorothy Thompson stressed.

Dr. Thompson, who is also a retired St. Francis Xavier University professor, was the second guest speaker at the conference.

Using the conference theme of "Change, Challenge, Commitment -- Keys to the Future'' and a quote from a place card at a dinner at former Prospect teacher Ms Mona Brangman's home, Dr. Thompson urged teachers to "accept the challenge, keep the commitment and live the change''.

She admitted that teaching was "a very, very difficult endeavour''.

But she told those at the conference, some of whom were her students: "Love your work. You as a teacher have an essential job to play in developing the children entrusted in your care.

"If you love your work, they know it. If you love your work, they feel it. If you love your work, it comes through your pores.

"I don't care how wonderful your class is or how much supplies you have there, if you devalue one human being, you should not be a teacher.

"So if you're going to be a teacher, want to be a teacher, be willing to say (to the student) even though you're giving me a lot of trouble. I see something and I'm willing to bring it out of you.'' Dr. Thompson also urged teachers to challenge their students "to go beyond the horizon''.

She recalled that the late Sir Edward Richards did this for her when she was in his English literature class at the Berkeley Institute.

Dr. Thompson also noted that teachers can learn from their students.

"I've learned a lot from listening to young people,'' she said. "They have something to say. But they very often don't know how to say it. We are there to be their voice.'' "Please don't give them a life sentence before they have lived,'' Dr.

Thompson added. "Don't write them off before we've written them in. Don't discourage them before we've encouraged them.'' EDUCATION ED