By Gareth Finighan The PLP promises to reduce class sizes, introduce a student assessment programme, hire more male teachers and set new academic standards in a bid to enable public schools to "offer the premier educational experience''.

Launching the Opposition's platform on education at a press conference yesterday, PLP leader Jennifer Smith claimed the Government had totally mismanaged the Island's schools over the past 30 years.

But she did not say how a PLP Government would set about achieving any of its intended goals.

And she also gaffed when, giving an example of Government incompetence, she said: "In the last few weeks parents at Somerset Primary who had been assured two P1 classes, one had to threaten the Education Minister in order to get that promise kept''. The school involved in the issue was in fact West End Primary, not Somerset Primary.

"Over ten years ago the Education Planning Team informed the United Bermuda Party Government of urgent problems within our system and they suggested solutions,'' Ms Smith said.

"In 1998, all of their recommendations have not been implemented. Maintaining this stagnant status quo in the realm of education commits a grave disservice to our students and their prospects for the future.

"In 1998 there are significant numbers of Bermudian parents who prefer to teach their children at home rather than send them to the United Bermuda party's educational system. In 1998 the tendency to private education is viewed as a viable option by too many parents.

"While there will always be a place for private education in Bermuda, when private education becomes a crutch for an ailing public system, rejuvenation and competent leadership are needed.'' Ms Smith went on to say that the PLP had the right team to rebuild Bermuda's education system. Also at yesterday's press conference were former teacher El James, former school principals Dale Butler and Randy Horton and alternative school owner Neletha Butterfield, all of whom are PLP candidates.

Former principal Arthur Hodgson and teachers Lois Browne-Evans, Eugene Cox and Wilbur Lowe are also standing for the Opposition.

"The PLP commits to quality education for all, recognising that the current apathy concerning education is yet another example of the apathy that is plaguing some of our young people,'' Ms SMith said.

"Bermuda will not have true equality if the public system fails to produce successful, competent students from across the gambit of Bermudian life.

"The PLP's platform contains a pledge that will see an education system that has, among other concepts, reduction in class size, the return of authority for classroom decision to the teachers and setting academic standards for schools.'' When asked how a PLP Government would reduce class sizes, a party spokesman said that it could be achieved either through the redeployment of current teachers or the hiring of more staff.

But he refused to be drawn on how the cost of any extra staff would be funded, although he denied that it would mean an automatic rise in taxes.

"I am not a financial genius,'' the spokesman said.

Last night Education Minister Tim Smith said that the PLP platform provided "nothing fresh'' and that all the plans were already under consideration by the Government.

And he said that the one area where the PLP had remained completely silent was on advancing training in technology.

"One of their weaknesses that the Government thinks is a strength is computer literacy and their platform makes no mention to it,'' he said.

"But classroom size and student teacher ratios are just two measurements of a school's performance and there are several other methods of success, for example how many students go on to university and we have to look at all of those.'' EDUCATION ED