Bermuda's public education system is leading the way when it comes to information technology after its B.TEC curriculum was the first in the world to be certified by an international authority.

Education and Development Minister Paula Cox said yesterday that she was delighted the Bermuda Technology Education Collaborative's Information Technology programme for S1 and S2, developed by Stanford University and used at both Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy, had received the Seal of Alignment from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

She said the certification proved that the curriculum in place in the two public senior schools had met or exceeded the requirements set by the department of education in the US.

No other curriculum around the globe has so far received the Seal of Alignment, but a number of countries are interested in looking at the Bermuda model.

"This feat is further proof that the technology curriculum that is in place in our two senior public schools has met or exceeded the alignment requirements that are set by the National Education Technology Standards Board for the United States Department of Education," said Ms Cox.

"That is quite a coup and acknowledgement. The International Society for Technology Education Standards are considered to be the International Standard for technology fluency and I am pleased to announce that the B.TEC curriculum is the only one in the world so far to receive this certification.

"As Minister of Education and Development, I am immensely pleased to see that the work of so many persons both within Bermuda and in the United States has borne such sweet fruit. The B.TEC initiative has opened up new vistas of experience for our public school students, their teachers and their parents."

The XL Foundation joined with the Ministry of Education in 1998 to establish an information technology programme for public school students, teachers, parents and their community.

It was funded by the XL Foundation, the ministry and other corporate partners, particularly the Bank of Bermuda, and was aimed at forging partnerships between Government, businesses and the community, while integrating the use of computers into education.

A curriculum was developed and over the years the programme evolved to include all year levels at secondary school, and in January of last year it was decided to rename the initiative the B.TEC.

Gavin Arton, president of the XL Foundation, said he remembered when Stanford University first came to Bermuda in 1998 to develop a computer science curriculum as a pilot in one class at Berkeley and one class at CedarBridge.

"In just under four years, it has created a comprehensive, world class IT curricular for all S1 to S4 levels, and I'm not surprised," he said.

"I would like to thank the Bank of Bermuda and their deep commitment to education. The courses remain dynamic and cutting edge and our teachers trained to deliver truly a college level course track.

"From the onset, all of use recognised the importance of preparing Bermudian students with the requisite skills to compete both academically and professionally in the information age, and supported the potential of creating a model for other jurisdictions.

"The public school system remains the backbone of democracy."

And Dianne Miller, director of Global Operations International Education Collaborative Foundation, said in January next year a symposium would be held on the Island, when a number of Caribbean countries would be coming to look at the IT model.

However, she said other countries, including from as far afield as Australia, have also expressed interest and Bermuda, at some point, would like to collaborate on a world stage in order to share knowledge and experience.

"Children in Bermuda are getting a world class education - this curriculum surpasses the US," she said.

"This is a whole new paradigm in learning. You will never hear us say the word `computers'. Students will graduate from the public school system prepared to compete. Students here are ahead of time."