Information Technology, or IT as it is commonly called, is the major challenge Education Minister Milton Scott feels he is facing in his Ministry.

"There is difficulty in keeping teachers on the cutting edge as they need to be teaching in the classroom for a good part of the year,'' Mr. Scott said.

While acknowledging that IT is vital to the future of students, Sen. Scott emphasised that children who are not exposed and familiar with the technology "will find that they are not prepared for the job market nor suitable for colleges and universities''.

"The impact IT has had on education is incredible,'' he told The Royal Gazette in a one-on-one interview this week: "It is stretching the infrastructure.'' He explained that "IT involves the infusion of technology with teaching, so that teaching today is much more than reading, writing and arithmetic''.

"I saw a few weeks ago, 12 year olds editing news items on laptop computers,'' he noted. "Information technology has just opened up the whole area of learning, and it is a real challenge for us to keep abreast.'' Teachers specially trained in IT are a sought-after commodity for the Education Department.

The Ministry is also stepping up its drive to improve literacy and numeracy in schools.

Class sizes have been decreased and a policy of retention for students not achieving the requisite level, will be implemented.

Underachieving children will be kept back in year three and year six Sen.

Scott explained, but they will be given specialist treatment and learning support.

"There will be a two-pronged approach to help combat the problem,'' he said, "remedial support and retention.'' Students still falling below the standard after being kept back will be allowed to move up to the next year, regardless. Similarly failing students will be allowed to progress to CedarBridge Academy mainly out of social concerns.

Sen. Scott explained the social problems involved in having a child repeat a class level more than once.

"A 14-year-old will most likely resent being kept in a class with 11-year-olds,'' he contended. "We will pass them on to the senior school, but at least it will be documented. CedarBridge will not find themselves surprised that students are performing below standard, as it will have all been identified beforehand.'' The Minister stood behind his recent comments that principals and teachers will be held accountable for failing students and noted that incompetence will result in firings.

Recognising the urgent problem of literacy and numeracy, Sen. Scott revealed that a language arts text, Literacy Plus, will be implemented in September.

"Teacher training begins at the end of August on the Literacy Plus programme,'' he said.

The programme is to be used in all public primary schools. Sen. Scott explained the main difference with the current practise is that a uniform text will be adopted. Supplemental material can be added and may vary from school to school.

"I think the supplemental material will be key in increasing literacy, as individual teachers will be able to adapt material to suit their specific situation,'' he said.

While a similar text has not been selected to help improve math scores, the Minister revealed that research is currently underway to identify a text that best suits the local need.

A trained teacher who has taught in the Bermuda public school system, Sen.

Scott is intimately aware of local perceptions and misconceptions on education.

Asked how he plans to combat the negative view many hold of the present system he said: "It will take time to change. We will keep releasing results and demonstrating where we were and where we're going.'' But he added: "It cannot be fixed overnight.'' COSTS OF COLLEGE Costs of College The Education Ministry is expected to pay less than $200,000 to fund Bermuda College tuition of students who maintained a 95 percent attendance record and at least a "B'' Grade Point Average.

Berkeley Institute principal, Michelle Gabisi, revealed that of her 96 graduates 37 were eligible for the "Minister's scholarship'' and Ernest Payette, outgoing principal of CedarBridge Academy, said 43 students there met the requirements.

While both principals pointed out that not all the students who qualify will take advantage of the offer, neither knew the number of students who will.

Dr. Norma Hendrickson, in charge of scholarships at the Ministry of Education, would not divulge the number of applications that have been submitted.

With the full-time tuition cost for a full year at Bermuda College now $2,150, if all the 80 eligible students were to take advantage of the opportunity, it would only cost the Ministry $172,000.