Inspirational US teacher Ron Clark is to speak at a one-day conference aimed at galvanising all those working in Bermuda?s public education system, can reveal.

Rosemary Tyrrell, the Ministry of Education?s new Permanent Secretary, has organised the event at the National Stadium next month to find out how those dealing with children on a daily basis believe the system can be improved.

Ms Tyrrell, in her first lengthy interview since being appointed in January, admitted that dramatic changes were needed at the Ministry to improve the academic performance of students.

This year?s graduation results from the two public senior schools have not yet been released ? but last year only 53 per cent of students graduated.

Ms Tyrrell told : ?We can?t keep doing things as we have been. Our greatest challenge is to identify what those changes that need to be made are and be more deliberate in making those changes.

?I don?t think that anybody is satisfied. I don?t know that anyone is satisfied with the end result. We work together to sort that out.?

Ms Tyrrell said the idea was to get everyone ? from janitors to teachers to civil servants ? together in one venue to develop a vision for education on the Island. Mr. Clark, dubbed ?America?s Educator?, was named Disney?s American Teacher of the Year in 2000 for his work with disadvantaged students in rural North Carolina and inner-city Harlem.

He will deliver a speech at the September 6 event, as will Professor David Hopkins, an education expert from the UK.

Ms Tyrrell said: ?We recognise that education is not something that should be left to those of us who occupy 14 Dundonald Street (Ministry of Education headquarters).

?It is the responsibility of everyone who is involved with children. The first step is to pull everybody together and together to have a vision as to how we should move ahead.

?On September 6, we have invited the entire Ministry, everyone who draws a pay cheque from this Ministry, to meet at the National Stadium for a one-day event.

?It?s a very deliberate move on my part. We can all play a significant part in the lives of children, from janitors to teachers to civil servants. People never equate education with all of the people who contribute but everyone can make a difference.?

Ms Tyrrell said past Ministers of Education and permanent secretaries at the Ministry would also attend, plus representatives from the National Training Board and unions. ?They have bought into the vision for the day,? she said.

The conference will feature eight presenters tackling a range of topics including restoring confidence in public education, respecting diversity, intentional expectations for the Ministry, relationship building and effective communication.

?We feel that these are the areas that need to be tackled immediately,? said Ms Tyrrell. ?Our strategy is not so much to plaster them with a vision as to encourage them together to develop a vision.?

Those attending will take part in 90-minute sessions where they will be expected to talk about what changes are needed and come up with ideas for improvement.

The conference is part of a three-year strategy being put together by Ms Tyrrell and civil servants at the Ministry. This year?s theme is Catch the Vision, followed by Share the Vision in 2007 and Live the Vision in 2008.