Education Minister Randy Horton has a goal and it's one he believes can be achieved by the time the next general election comes around.

"We now have about 40 percent of children in public schools," he said. "I'm looking at by then to have 70 percent at least of our children in public schools."

It's an ambitious aim but Mr. Horton thinks his party can pull it off if it secures another term in government. He readily admits that the first nine years of power have not seen the Progressive Labour Party achieve the success it wants in education.

He commissioned the Hopkins report earlier this year — a hard-hitting review of public schools which pulled few punches in describing what was wrong with education.

The recommendations in that document are now in the process of being put in place.

Mr. Horton said: "Education is ongoing, education evolves and I think if any learned person looked around the world they would see that just about every education system has its challenges.

"But I truly believe and I'm very confident that within the next few years we are going to be able to turn our system around. I think it's the number one priority of this Government."

One of the ways to do that, Mr. Horton believes, is to have a new and improved board of education, the members of which would be announced in January.

He is also enthusiastic about regular surveys of teachers, parents and students to find out their views on the school system.

The PLP is promising to have annual reviews of schools conducted by Ministry of Education staff and the results made public.

"I hope that schools will understand it and that information will be given to the public in a very objective way," said Mr. Horton. "The idea is to let people know exactly what's going on in schools."

The Minister said improving technical education was high on his list and opening a dedicated technical institute was not out of the question.

A working group is already looking at the Bermuda School Certificate and whether it should be replaced with an internationally recognised qualification; the curriculum at all school levels is also being assessed.

Mr. Horton, a former PE and maths teacher and principal, plans to abolish social promotion and introduce a wellness programme in schools, to teach children the importance of a proper diet and regular exercise.

He hopes to see every teacher registered by an independent licensing council by next September and wants them better rewarded for their efforts.

"It is absolutely important to recognise and reward teachers for excellence in school," he said, adding that an awards ceremony would be held at the end of each school year and would be supported by major companies."