The Education Ministry has begun its advertising campaign for primary school registration next year.

And senior education officer for early childhood Alberta Dyer Tucker explained that this was to ensure that parents were well aware of the procedure which has been slightly reformed.

Prior to the restructuring of the public school system, children beginning school normally attended the same school as their siblings.

But with the introduction of the new system, the Island has been divided into western, central, and eastern zones with children required to attend schools in or near their neighbourhood or zones.

Schools in the western zone are Somerset Primary, West End Primary, Southampton Glebe, Port Royal Primary, Heron Bay Primary, Paget Primary and Gilbert Institute.

West Pembroke Primary, Northlands Primary, Victor Scott Primary, and Prospect Primary constitute the central zone.

And Elliot Primary, Harrington Sound Primary, Francis Patton Primary, St.

George's Preparatory, East End Primary and St. David's Primary are in the eastern zone.

Mrs. Dyer Tucker said the policy of students being allowed to attend schools outside their zones just because their siblings were there was changed to ensure that children had access to schools within their neighbourhoods.

"On average we normally have 700 children who apply to go to schools in their area each year,'' she said.

"Unfortunately, we have a few schools that people prefer to send their children to and normally they are smaller schools, so some people do not get their first choice.'' But if children do not get into their first choice initially, they may still be able to secure a spot in the school later, Mrs. Dyer Tucker said. This was basically because some parents registered their children in both a private and public primary school, she explained. And if the child was accepted in a private school, this allowed a space to become available in the public school.

Despite education reform and a gradual decline in the birth rate, enrolment numbers at public pre-school and primary schools have remained consistent.

Mrs. Dyer Tucker said: "Enrolment figures may have been down slightly last year. However, people sometimes come out of the woodwork. That's why we are advertising now.

"We're also trying to advertise the registration earlier to heighten the public's awareness.'' Registration for pre-schools, primary and middle schools will take place on February 4, 5 and 6. The deadline for pre-schools is 3 p.m. on February 6 and 3.30 p.m. the same day for primary and middle schools.

Application forms for pre-schools can only be obtained from those schools. But forms for primary and middle schools will be available at the schools and posts offices. A limited number of primary school applications can also be obtained from the Education Ministry.

Mrs. Dyer Tucker also stressed that it was important for those registering primary school students to bring a copy of the child's birth certificate to validate the child's date of birth.

If the child is a non-Bermudian, the parent should bring along proof that the child is a bona fide citizen, she added. This can be in the form of a work permit.

Parents of primary school students also need to provide a house assessment number so that education officials can verify the child's address. The Ministry also has booklets for parents on preparing children for pre-school and primary school.