Education Minister Paula Cox yesterday announced a $2 million hybrid package that would solve Bermuda's secondary school overcrowding problem later this year.

She said that after lengthy discussions with teachers, parents, students and the Bermuda Union of Teachers, a combination of proposals had been agreed to enable both CedarBridge Academy and Berkeley Institute to approach the situation with flexibility.

The solution involves extending the school working day to no later than 6 p.m., with classes operating in a morning and afternoon shift system.

Portable classrooms will also be installed at each school to provide additional classroom space, and Bermuda College may be used by the Berkeley Institute for games and physical activity.

Ms Cox said she had listened to all opinions and felt this mixture of proposals would meet everyone's needs as close as possible.

She said: "Our primary goal throughout this process has been to ensure that all students have the opportunity to take advantage of the best education opportunities possible and that our staff can work in a climate that is both safe and harmonious.

"Although it has been necessary to move away from the ways in which we have traditionally worked, we can also use this opportunity to revamp and improve the education system through collaboration."

Both schools will have more students than they can accommodate this September after an additional fourth year was added to the secondary school curriculum.That means no students will graduate this year.

It is hoped, however, that when the new Berkeley Institute, which is currently under construction, is opened in September of next year, it will have the space to handle the additional numbers.

During the press conference, the Minister was joined by the two senior school principals Kalmar Richards and Michelle Gabisi, as well as both leaders of the schools' Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA).

They each praised Ms Cox for taking their concerns on board and for agreeing such a flexible programme.

Ms Cox said ten additional teachers would be employed at each of the schools, and said some interviews had already been held. But she also said additional counsellors and psychological support staff would be taken on to assist with the transitional stages and additional pupils.

"The school day will be extended by two periods and will not run beyond 6 p.m.," she said.

"Student timetables will be adjusted so that older students will attend afternoon and evening classes while younger students will attend morning and afternoon classes.

"Portable classrooms will be installed at each senior school to provide additional instructional spaces.

"We have consulted the Public Transportation Board and they have agreed that they will be able to accommodate any increase in demand for transportation."

The Minister said that due to the longer school days, although teachers will not be working outside their agreed working hours, some may have to make alternative arrangements for the care of their own children.

Ms Cox said Government had made financial provisions to allow for any additional costs to the teachers.

She added: "There is still more work to be done. The schools are now drawing up new timetables and will be working with parents to ensure that there is minimal impact on extra-curricular activities, such as private classes in the arts or student jobs."

She said where possible students will be accommodated with individual timetables, where possible. However, she said everyone had been warned that no guarantees could be given.

And she added: "But parents have indicated that what is the priority to them is that education is the most important core function."

Ms Gabisi, head of Berkeley Institute said: "We are quite pleased with the outcome. It's a hybrid solution.

"It's a practical solution to a difficult issue and together we have found a way forward that will benefit the students."

Mrs. Richards described it as a "win win solution".

She added: "Our parents and our students were adamant that they wanted to remain at CedarBridge Academy. The schedule that we have come up with will allow them to."

Head of CedarBridge PTSA Terry Flood said there were no "loopholes" in the proposal and said the Ministry had "practically given us what we asked for".

And Randolph DeShields, head of Berkeley PTSA, said they had been consulted every step of the way.

He added: "One of the biggest concerns was that students may have had to leave the Berkeley campus and we are pleased to see that, with portable classrooms, everyone will remain on the site."

Berkeley student Erica Martin, 16, said she thought the new situation may be a little confusing at first, but added: "Before long we will settle in and it will be like regular school again."

Jamari Douglas, 17, from CedarBridge said students had been concerned at first and felt like "guinea pigs".

But he said: "I'm excited about the new plan with regards the flexible scheduling. It will prepare us for college endeavours. We will have to get to class on time."