The Bermuda Democratic Alliance (BDA) unveiled its education platform this afternoon — saying the Island’s continued success depended on the effective education of young people.

The Alliance’s platform calls for:

— Implementation of the Hopkins Report, which called for a dramatic improvement in the quality of teaching and leadership by principals and radical reform to the Ministry of Education.

— Imposing a moratorium on further reports and consultants until the Hopkins Report recommendations are fully enacted.

— Immediate halt to social promotion, instead ensuring students are academically prepared to progress onto the next academic level.

At a press conference this afternoon, Myron Piper, the BDA’s education spokesman, cited a lack of reforms from the Hopkins Report as part of the problem affecting the education system.

“The future of Bermuda and our continued success depends on our children being effectively educated. Education is also a key factor in correcting Bermuda’s socio-economic disparities, which are increasingly manifesting themselves with escalating anti-social behaviour.

“We believe Bermuda’s students are unnecessarily suffering due to failed leadership, a lack of accountability and transparency, and an inconsistent delivery and alignment of curriculum across schools.”

* See tomorrow’s Royal Gazette for full story.