?It is anticipated that this September, we will have an enhanced arts schedule for all middle schools that will ensure that those students interested in the arts have both the time and the resources to develop their skills in the area.?

Education Minister Terry Lister told the House of Assembly on Friday that this follows a collaboration with representatives from various visual and performing arts organisations who have been researching what needed to be done to return performing arts to schools in Bermuda.

He said one of the most significant actions taken by the committee was to host a mid-term art camp at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Mr. Lister said the students who attended came at the recommendations of their teachers and participated in a number of artistic endeavours during that period.

?After the committee surveyed parents, students and educators, I received a proposal putting forth several options recommending the establishment of a school which would specialise in more-in depth teaching in the visual and performing arts,? he said.

Mr. Lister told the House that this proposal had been carefully reviewed and after much discussion and deliberation, it had been decided that before the establishment of such a school at the senior level, there would have to be strengthening of the existing visual and performing arts programmes at both the primary and middle school levels.

?I am very pleased to report the planning to create the interest in the Arts has already begun. Bermuda Public School System students are engaged in both circular and extra-curricular arts activities at the various school levels and are publicly shown in the Annual Arts Exhibit, school plays and the recent special performances of the Combined Primary Schools Choir and Middle School Drum line,? he said.

He said staff were working with middle school principals and arts teachers to find ways to ensure that the arts at each middle school could receive the time that was necessary.

?This group is looking to collaboratively find ways to ensure that the middle schools arts programme is fully delivered at all middle schools,? he said.

He told the House that there were four arts curricula for schools at the middle school and senior level and include dance, music, theatre and visual arts.

?We want to ensure that any young person interested in any of these areas has the opportunity to participate in their curricular areas. We are working with middle school principals and teachers to facilitate ways in which all four content areas can be delivered in the time necessary to deliver them,? he said.

Mr. Lister added that this may mean that students must make choices about which one of the arts subjects they wished to concentrate on and that it would be the student?s choice and once that choice was made with guidance from their advisors and parents, the schools and Ministry must ensure the courses are delivered.

Mr. Lister said a proposal had been developed to provide for the implementation of an instrumental music programme at all middle schools.

?This will ensure the appropriate resources for such a programme at middle schools. These resources will not only be the instruments but will also ensure that there is staff available to deliver the programme,? he said.

Mr. Lister told the House that middle school administrators would be meeting during the summer with Ministry staff to discuss and agree on a timetable that would ensure that those students who show interest and talent in the arts can select the courses of study that will enhance their skills and abilities.