The public has been asked to share their views on the public education system with the independent review group currently looking into problems in education.

Yesterday, the Government announced that the review is already underway.

Professor David Hopkins will lead a group of six in a systemic review of the education system, he said he planned to produce a report that outlines practical recommendations to improve the system and is free of “academic jargon”.

Professor Hopkins has advised three UK Education Ministers on school standards since 2002. In the last year, he was appointed the HSBC Chair in International Leadership.

Professor Hopkins said: “It is important to identify the main issues. In particular we will be looking at Bermuda’s educational policies, support system, social inclusion and education standards and meeting with everyone involved in the system.”

He added the team did not plan to import a system from abroad but wanted to work with what Bermuda has and make suggestions to improve it.

Professor Hopkins has been on the Island for the last three days visiting various schools and speaking with people involved in education.

During his trip, which was his fourth to the Island, he was able to get a feel for the Island and will now be able to better plan the review process.

Yesterday, he said he intended to have the detailed review ready for the Minister by the end of April.

Before working with UK education ministers he was a tutor at the University of Cambridge Institute of Education and the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Nottingham.

He was also a secondary school teacher and Outward Bound Instructor.

Premier Ewart Brown said the Government had specifically chosen Mr. Hopkins because he had reviewed education systems in the past.

He added: “This report will not sit and gather dust. There will be an action plan. I believe that for the first time in a long time Bermuda is ready for this.

“We need to begin to produce people from the education system who can participate meaningfully in our economy.”

He added that the members of the group, two of whom are Bermudians, were chosen because of their expertise and their understanding that social issues play a large part in any educational system.

Education Minister Randy Horton added that the Ministry was committed to the review and was already working to improve the system.

He said: “This review will be examined and the recommendations will executed in short order. We are willing to embrace what may be a painful process to improve student achievement.

“That is the whole reason the review is taking place, to improve student achievement.”

The public has been asked to share their views with the review group by e-mail to bermudareview[AT]yahoo.com. The e-mail will not be checked by anyone in the Ministry of Education.

The only people able to access the e-mails will be members of the review team, Professor Hopkins said.