Newly trained teachers feel positive about joining Bermuda's public school system, despite the damning criticisms in the Hopkins Report.

LeVar Bassett, who teaches at CedarBridge Academy, said: "I felt this is the best time to be in education. The report, while bad, did highlight problems that are not new and now is a good time to be in education."

He spoke out during a press conference heralding 29 graduates from the Bermuda Teacher Induction Programme — a mentoring system where experienced educators support new entrants to the profession through their first two years.

Mr. Bassett added that he would like to increase the level of involvement parents have with the school on a daily basis. He said he felt this would improve communication and also public perception of the school system.

He said of the mentoring programme: "As a young teacher coming in straight from university it was good to have someone watching out for your as you enter the profession."

Government commissioned the Hopkins Report to pinpoint why more than half the Island's senior school students fail to graduate each year.

Experts led by British professor David Hopkins visited every one of the Island's public schools in March and discovered that a quarter of lessons are taught inadequately, that the curriculum is inconsistent and that principals are failing to ensure quality teaching.

The report made ten hard-hitting recommendations for rapid raising of standards, which are now being implemented.

Christopher Tannock, who teaches at Berkeley Institute, is in his second year there after starting straight from university. He said of the report: "It was a little disconcerting at first, but as a teacher I have a lot of hope for our education system, especially with these young people coming in."

Education Minister Randy Horton said: "I am especially excited about this year's inductees, as I believe they will play a vital role in facilitating a new era of quality education going forward. It's no secret many of the findings of the Hopkins Report proved quite disturbing, and are cause for concern. Concern, which I can assure you that this Minister, with the support of the Ministry team and all the teachers, is moving swiftly to address. Let me make it pertinently clear that things are going to get better than what they are."

He urged the young graduates: "Be a part of re-establishing the respect that teachers deserve, since it seems that some in the community have lost sight that yours is indeed a noble profession."