The Education Ministry should be closed down and transformed into a new body in order to take the public school system into the 21st Century, it was claimed last night.

Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith said the current ministry was obviously not providing what Bermuda's schools needed, and should therefore be replaced with something else.

He suggested a new National Commission on Education be launched, largely with the same staff currently employed at the ministry.

It would enable principals and school boards to have more independence and could act as an inspectorate, as well as a central body.

And he also suggested that Education Minister Senator Milton Scott be replaced with a Cabinet Minister.

As Sen. Scott was made Education Minister by the Premier, and not an elected MP, he is unable to speak in Parliament.

Instead yesterday, Premier Smith read the education budget speech to the House.

But Mr. Smith said that was a fundamental flaw in the process, especially as education was such an important ministry.

During yesterday's Budget debate on education at the House of Assembly, Mr.

Smith said: "We need a new education authority. That means we will abandon the current system, but does not mean we will not employ a lot of the same people.

"There is foot-dragging going on. Education is caught in a time warp. It is not making the progress it should be.

"The current structure of education needs to be different. The present system cannot respond to the needs of the 37 different public schools.

"There is some room to have a lot of the same people involved. I am sure the problems are not related to the people - it's the system.

"We need a new education authority in Bermuda. Even the current mission statement is outdated.'' And he said a new system could create specific areas of accountability, making everyone involved in education more accountable.

But Mr. Smith's clean out did not stop there.

He added: "The Minister should have been here making this presentation on education. The Minister should be in the honourable House of Assembly making budget statements.

"I believe the honourable minister should be sitting in this honourable House.

"The current minister has served in this ministry for 24 months. He had 24 years as a teacher, and a union leader.

"I had six months as Education Minister. I saw the disconnections in just six months. "What is taking this Government so long to recognise the disconnections?'' And he said there were a number of people in the PLP who could take over the role, implying PLP backbencher Dale Butler, who was a former headteacher.

The shadow minister added: "There is one person (in Government) who has a masters degree and is passionate about this subject. In fact, there are a number of people (in Government) who could have done it.'' However, Mr. Butler, who was a principal for 16 years, a teacher for 22 years and has two masters degrees, as well as a powerful passion for education, said he was definitely not putting himself forward for the position.

He said last night: "I have no interest in the job. Senator Scott can continue. He is doing a great job. He has the 100 percent support from the Premier and myself -- a great man.'' However, Mr. Butler would not be the only choice for the Premier.

Former teacher and ousted Cabinet Minister Arthur Hodgson told The Royal Gazette that he still had a great passion for education and would relish the opportunity to sit at its helm in Bermuda.

However, other PLP MPs have also mentioned Neletha Butterfield, who is already heavily involved in education, as a possible candidate.

One Government MP, who did not wish to be named, said: "I do personally believe that we need a Government MP in Cabinet in the role of Education Minister. I think Neletha Butterfield would be the one for the job. She has a love for education and an ability.

"But in saying that, I think there are a few people who could do the job.'' MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 2001/02 estimates Ministry responsibility: To ensure that the youth of Bermuda receive adequate educational opportunities.

Budget estimate: $91,659,000 (last year $85,702,000) Revenue: $67,000, Budget allocations Ministry of Education HQ $4,289,000 Department of Education $73,060,000 Libraries $1,653,000 Bermuda College $12,657,000 Tim Smith