Ministry's controversial reform plans. Their backing was announced in a letter on Saturday to Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira, whose Ministry's plans for a "mega'' high school have come under heavy criticism.

And at a meeting on Saturday, he again ruled out the possibility of creating a third high school under the new system while updating school Parent Teacher Associations on the proposed curriculum for the new school system.

The principals' statement to the Minister said: "We, the members of the Association of School Principals support the restructuring of the Bermuda public school system.

"As administrators of the public schools, we recognise the need for: The removal of the transfer examinations and the selective process; the introduction of middle level education, the inclusion of special needs students, the principal of equitable education at two senior secondary schools, the establishment of alternative programmes and placements to meet the needs of all students; the need for a revised and relevant curriculum.'' The ASP was the first group to propose an alternate school for children who could not be controlled in a nboermal school setting. Dr. Terceira recently announced that Woodlands will be used as an alternate school, although it is intended that children referred there will return tothe main school system.

Commenting on Shadow Education Minister Miss Jennifer Smith's suggestion of using the US Navy Base's Chaffee High School as a third senior secondary, Dr.

Terceira said: "There's not going to be any third high school.

"But it is certainly a desire of mine to take over Chaffee as the St.

George's middle school. But that's not been decided on as negotiations are still going on.'' The proposal would mean the closure of St. George's Secondary.

The restructuring plans call for middle schools, an alternative school for unruly and violent students, mainstreaming of special needs students and two senior secondary schools, the so-called mega high school at Prospect and Berkeley Institute.

During Saturday's meeting, Dr. Terceira said the Parent Teachers Associations were given updates on the new curriculum. They were also informed of behaviour and anger management and technical/craft components of the curriculum.

The PTA-Government meeting -- one is held at the start of every term -- was held at Stonington Hotel.

Earlier this month more than one hundred parents and children converged on the House of Assembly yesterday to protest Government's "illogical, irrational'' school restructuring programme.