A majority of parents whose children will be entering high school in September have opted to let them write an entrance exam to the Island's top academic schools, rather than attend neighbourhood schools.

Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons revealed this during the education budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday.

He said teachers have expressed concern about "a large number'' of Primary Seven students who will be sitting the entrance exam to Berkeley Institute and Warwick Academy.

"In fact,'' he said, "we know that three quarters of the parents have opted for their children to take the exam when these schools can only accommodate half that number of students.

Children leaving primary school this year will be the first group of students not required to sit the controversial 11-Plus transfer exam.

Government, in an interim measure, scrapped the exam after last spring and gave parents the choice of sending their children to the nearest neighbourhood high school or allowing them to sit the exam.

Due to parents' preference for the exam, Mr. Simons said the transfer plan has been modified.

"Parents of Primary Seven students will now have a chance to name another school,'' he said, explaining that students who write the exam for Berkeley or Warwick and do not get in, can choose a neighbourhood school.

But he noted the choice of students accepted at a neighbourhood school will ultimately be determined by where the student lives.

Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith said under the law, parents may send their children to any secondary school they want. And she questioned how Mr. Simons intended to reconcile what was planned with the law.

A 1,000-strong army of teachers, parents, and children besieged Parliament yesterday and loosed off a booming broadside at Government: "Back down over education cuts.'' Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan was heckled as he received a 5,000-name protest petition on Parliament's steps.

He saluted the right of marchers to vent their feelings, vowed commitment to education, but made no promises.

Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith applauded the crowd as it encircled the Sessions House.

"You have shown your children that you are willing to go to the wire for them,'' she cried.

It was, however, Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons the demonstrators wanted before them.

Shouts of "chicken'' rang out as several poured scorn on his absence. Others struck up a chant: "We want Gerald!'' Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade launched a withering attack on Mr.

Simons, who was leading the Budget debate on education inside the House.

He told The Royal Gazette : "I think it's shameful he did not appear and receive the petition.

"I consider it rude, condescending, and an insult for him not to come out.'' Mrs. Marian Askia, president of the Bermuda National PTA, was also scornful.

"He was conspicuous by his absence,'' she said, while hailing the march a big success.

Teachers' union organiser Mr. Milton Scott accused Mr. Simons of letting Sir John take the flak.

"Maybe it's indicative of the man,'' said Mr. Scott.

Sir John, however, defended his embattled Minister, saying he was fielding questions in the Budget debate on education.

The big march kicked off at about 6 p.m. after a rousing rally on the City Hall steps.

Brandishing placards, protesters gathered to hear a series of stinging attacks on Government.

Mrs. Askia rallied her troops by declaring: "There are those that feel today's protest is due to the impending cuts in education's budget.

"The petition that will be presented at Parliament shortly is specifically geared towards the budget cuts, but as concerned parents we know that this is only the tip of the iceberg.

"We are here today as concerned people showing solidarity for the children and ultimately the future of Bermuda.'' Quoting a line from a song, she said: "Without us there is no future, no hope to build tomorrow, no dreams to touch the sky.

"Let's not rob Bermuda's children of their dreams to touch the sky.'' Mr. Scott quipped: "I stand before you to let you know that the Bermudian public is tired of the Gerald Simons shuffle -- which is two steps forward, one-and-three-quarters steps backward.'' Opposition spokesman in the Senate for education, Sen. Trevor Woolridge trumpeted the power of parents.

"If it were not for parents, we would still have the 11-plus exam. If it were not for parents, we would still be going for the single secondary school.

"And I believe, if it were not for parents, the Minister would not now be backing down on the cuts for teachers and summer school programmes. Parents are very important.'' Amid thunderous cheers, National Liberal Party spokeswoman Ms Cheryl Pooley said education was not a privilege -- it was a right.

To a pounding drumbeat, the marchers, many youngsters in school uniform, set off along Church Street.

Cameras clicked as people lined the streets to watch and cheer the grand parade.

Messages on youngsters' placards included "Cuts in education are genocide'', "Education is the key -don't lock us out'', "Sandys march for children,'' "I am falling through the educational cracks'', and "I am Bermuda's future''.

At the head of the parade was father-of-three Mr. Colin Simmons, from Hamilton.

His 14-year-old son, Ajani, who goes to Northlands, said: "I'm opposed to the cutbacks because we should have the best education system possible.'' Mother Mrs. Shirlene Simmons said it was unfair to expect teachers to buy school supplies.

Pembroke mother Mrs. Marita Peterson, whose daughters Triquia, eight, and five-year-old Janae, go to Dellwood, said she was marching to protect her school and children's education.

Some marchers saw a deliberate policy to keep part of the population poorly educated.

"If there is a lot of illiteracy it is easier for some to manipulate others, and keep them in bondage and slavery,'' said one mother.

Eight-year-old Tiffany Thorne, who goes to Paget Primary, said: "Cuts are taking away money for teachers.'' FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT! -- PTA president Mrs. Marian Askia sends out a stirring battle cry to her troops.