Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira revealed yesterday.

The disclosure came as Dr. Terceira presented the draft Education Bill in the House of Assembly during its last summer meeting.

The bill -- which will give force to the many changes that make up Government's school reform plan -- will be tabled and come up for debate in the House in November.

It includes 74 sections on a variety of school issues, including truancy, "collective worship'', and punishment for running unregistered schools, but the most controversial aspect appeared to be the section on drug testing.

Drug testing was one of several measures planned to prevent and/or stamp out an increase of drug use and violence in schools.

Saltus Grammar, a private school, has for ten years had a drug policy in place which includes immediate expulsion if a student refuses to be tested.

But the Education Bill -- if it became law -- would not allow testing in any school, including private schools without the "written consent of the parent''.

The bill also stated that if the test indicated the use of any drug, the child "shall be deemed to be a drug abuser'', and the Education Minister with the consent of the parent could authorise treatment.

And the Minister could allow the student to remain in school during the treatment if he considered it appropriate.

However, the bill pointed out that if the parent refuses to give his or her consent without "reasonable excuse'' or if the child refuses to be tested or receive treatment, the Education Minister can suspend that child for up to three months.

If there was "reasonable cause'', upon the student's return, to believe that he or she was still using drugs and if he or she refused to be tested and be treated, the Minister could -- after consultation with the principal, parent, and the head of the treatment facility -- expel the student.

But the student could be re-admitted to the school or admitted to another if the Minister considered it appropriate.

Dr. Terceira told MPs: "These measures are taken to protect innocent young people from exposure to substance abuse and also to intervene to try to rehabilitate those young people who may be addicted to this abuse''.

"At the same time,'' he added, "much care has been taken in the drafting to ensure that whatever steps are taken do not violate any young person's right to privacy of his person.'' Dr. Terceira also urged the public to give its input on the entire bill during the summer.

Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Sen. Milton Scott told The Royal Gazette the teachers' union had asked to be consulted before the final draft was presented.

"But,'' he added, "at least it is good to know that the Minister will give us some four months to look at it.''