Minister for Education and Development Paula Cox yesterday launched Education Month with an appeal for the community to do their part in nurturing Bermuda's leaders of the future.

The Minister, accompanied by Chairman of CedarBridge Academy's board of directors Constance McHardy, said this year's theme was based on community involvement.

She said although teachers did a good job in Bermuda's schools, they could not turn out first class students and citizens alone.

Ms Cox launched Education Month just days after a security officer was seriously stabbed by a former pupil while working at CedarBridge Academy.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how Kariim Wales, 30, received knife wounds to his neck, head, back and shoulder early last Wednesday morning by a trespasser who was wandering around the school property.

As a result, newlywed Mr. Wales suffered a collapsed lung, has had a tonsil removed, has staples in his head to help repair wounds and needed a tracheotomy to enable him to breathe.

But yesterday, Ms Cox reminded parents and family members that they had a responsibility to themselves, their children and the community to make sure that their youngsters were well-behaved.

She said: "Parents, grandparents and other family members have responsibilities, as well as rights, when it comes to their children's education.

"Let us recognise and celebrate the achievements of parents who play a role in their child's school, whether it is by volunteering in the school in some way, or simply turning up for Parent Teacher Association meetings.

"These parents are showing that they think that education is important - and we can be sure that their children will watch and learn from their actions."

However, she said steps may need to be taken when parents are not so forthcoming.

Ms Cox added: "Sometimes we might have to do more to ensure that parents face their responsibilities.

"That is why we are now considering how we might require parents to also take responsibility for their child's behaviour while at school. Of course, we recognise that parents can't guarantee their child's behaviour. But parents can, and should, be required to work with the school to overcome behavioural problems."

During the budget debate on education, Ms Cox said one way to make parents more responsible was to introduce legislation that set out clearly a parent's responsibilities.

She said it could work similar to the legislation on school attendance, where parents can be taken to court if they fail to ensure their children attended school.

But Ms Cox said businesses should also be congratulated for playing an active role in supporting the public education system.

She said not only had numerous businesses provided school with expert guidance and tuition, but they had also provided valuable equipment, such as computers.

The Minister added: "All these organisations have recognised that education is not just an issue for teachers and schools - it is an issue for everyone in this community who cares about the future of Bermuda."

And she added: "The Ministry used to be shy in years gone by in accepting monies. This Ministry is not shy to ask for money for education."

She said any money offered by businesses for the public education system would be greatly welcomed.

Ms Cox added: "The education of the next generation is a burning issue for the whole community. We all have a role to play."

Education Month this year will be less about activities, although many schools are organising their own events, but more about dialogue and involvement.

Ms McHardy reiterated the comments she made in the The Royal Gazette on Saturday, when she said the community, not just schools, had to help rid Bermuda of violence.

She said both students and staff at CedarBridge Academy had handled last week's knife attack very well, and said it had brought the best out of everyone, not the worst.