the Island's students will fail the Bermuda Secondary School Certificate exams this year.

This he said, would most likely be due to the increase of drugs and violence in schools along with other problems students face.

"Those students will fail to reach the 2.0 grade point average needed to enter the Bermuda College,'' Mr. Smith said.

He added: "Last year when there was some drugs and violence in schools more than 100 students did not reach the standard minimum for the Bermuda College and now we have an awareness of a greater increase in drugs and violence.

"Therefore, it could be said that the increase in drugs and violence could be correlated to an increased failure.'' Mr. Smith, who was responding to last week's Royal Gazette two-part series on the increase of drugs and violence in primary and high schools said "the solution to the problem must start at home.

"Students and their families must be interviewed so the root of the problem can be addressed. If there is drug use in the family or family violence, families should seek the help of a counsellor.'' Mr. Smith advised parents and teachers that "instead of just putting a band-aid on the sore they should go to the doctor, get a prescription and take the medicine.'' In the two-part series students from various high schools and primary schools talked about the lack of discipline in the classrooms and the carrying of knives for protection.

"It is quite common, based on my information, for students to carry knives as a form of protection.

"They have groups they use to protect themselves known as "the ace-boys'. In their context it is a partnership to protect one another, that is what is prevalent in the schools. And an altercation results in someone using a weapon to protect themselves or gain respect.'' Mr. Smith added that kids that want to learn are considered fair game for the "gangs and posses'' who, for whatever reason, are not focussing on education.

"It is fair to say that based on this environment, teachers are apprehensive and fearful of their safety.

"You have kids in classrooms being disruptive and teachers spend their time trying to keep the class in order. They are not able to teach, so if the students who want to learn don't educate themselves they are then falling in the cracks.'' Mr. Smith also said that the failure to reach the 2.0 grade point average, will have to lead to some changes in the Bermuda College's curriculum.

"The college is going to have to be more flexible and creative and take kids under probation,'' Mr. Smith said.

He added: "They will also have to offer remedial courses and if passed the student can then get into the courses that the college has to offer.

"The increase in drugs and violence in high schools and primary schools is the reason why parents are concerned about the new senior secondary school.

"How will it be different, and how will it be controlled? No one has said what will be different, who will monitor the classes. If there are problems controlling smaller schools how will you control the bigger schools.'' Mr. Smith said there were recommendations put forth by the Education Planning Team that drug awareness rehabilitation programmes be set up in schools but nothing has come about.

"The idea of having teachers-assistance was also suggested to help teachers in classrooms but they have yet to be brought in the school system. Teachers need to be taught coping skills.

"The level of frustration with teachers is at a high level. Some teachers are persuaded to take troubled students into their classes which has been happening.'' Chief Education Officer Mr. Dean Furbert said that while schools play an essential role in the development of any society "it is important to remember that they reflect the society which they serve.

"The recent conference `Blow the Whistle on Violence' brought to light the relationship between the escalation of violence in the community and the development of children and indicated that there was a need for a total community response to this problem.

"In recent years, the Ministry of Education has responded to the social needs of children by increasing psychological and counselling services and by introducing a variety of programmes including Lions-Quest life skills, peer mediation, special programme classes for children with learning difficulties and a workshop for parents to teach parenting skills.'' Mr. Furbert said that in addition, during the current school year, training was given to 100 teachers in behaviour management.

"This training will be repeated for all secondary school teachers during the next school year. Many teachers have expressed the view that this training has been extremely helpful in giving them the skills required to manage the behaviour of students and to maintain a positive learning environment.

Officers also have implemented programmes to assist students with anger management.'' In it's efforts to support schools in effectively responding to problems of discipline Mr. Furbert said the Ministry is currently developing a Code of Conduct which sets out the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, and school administrators.