And veteran UBP MP C.V. (Jim) Woolridge and Premier Jennifer Smith locked horns during the head-to-head over the Education Ministry's pot of cash for the year.

Mr. Woolridge accused the Premier, also Education Minister, of making "an inadequate statement'' in support of the Ministry's budget.

And he denied the UBP were responsible for the problems in the schools -- including a poor record on basic literacy and numeracy, as well as disciplinary problems in the schools.

Mr. Woolridge said: "All of us put a lot of taxation to provide the educational facilities to prepare our young people.

"But we have a lot of ordinary working people, if I can use that term, who are sacrificing to send their children to private schools.'' And he insisted: "The Government didn't go into the classrooms. That's where the change has to come.'' Ms Smith, however, said that the Budget debate was "the Opposition debate'' -- but that "the Opposition had nothing to say.'' She added: "I did not, and I admit, explain these items which were left over from the previous Government.'' Ms Smith, in reply to an earlier question, said the revamp of the Berkeley Institute into the other main senior school would be delayed to the autumn of 2003.

She explained that the General Election of last November had meant the building projected beyond the deadline for a 2002 opening.

Earlier, the UBP's John Barritt said Bermuda College had a place in the Island's hoped for spot in the fast lane in the information superhighway.

Pembroke West Central MP Neletha Butterfield insisted the PLP Government had "a thirst for education.'' And she said the party was "in the process'' of doing its homework in a bid of improvement and correction in the system.

Ms Butterfield added: "We are now seeing so many things in the social lives of our young people and they're coming into the schools.'' And she welcomed Education Ministry plans for mediation services -- including using other pupils -- reduced class sizes and the introduction of truancy officers, due to go out on the beat at the start of the next school year.

PLP backbencher Dale Butler -- a former head teacher -- said he had been victimised while in that post for his refusal to compromise on standards by recommending pupils with low rates of academic achievement to Bermuda College.

He added that many of the problems stemmed from a low level of intellectual stimulation at home.

And he called for youngsters to be exposed to "a language-enriched environment'' outside school.

He added: "We are having to take a serious look at taking some initiatives in the home and in the media.'' Health and Family Services Shadow Minister Kim Young said not everyone had read the PLP election platform or scrutinised the Budget document.

And she said elected boards did not guarantee the best people available to serve.

And Shadow Development and Opportunity Minister Allan Marshall asked if summer schools so failing students could play catch-up would be compulsory or voluntary.

He admitted afterwards that during his schooldays the prospect of compuslory summer classes were a great incentive to pass first time.

And Mr. Marshall said: "If a child does not meet the educational requirements, he should go to summer school and prepare himself for the next year. I was looking for a policy statement on this.'' Ministry of Education 1999/00 estimates Ministry responsibility: To ensure that the youth of Bermuda receive adequate educational opportunities.

Budget estimate: $85,052,000 (last year $77,374,000) Revenue: $106,000 Budget allocations Ministry of Education HQ $3,995,000 Department of Education $68,602,000 Libraries $1,267,000 Bermuda College $11,188,000