PTA's opposition to proposed $2.2 million cuts in education.

In fact, Ms Smith said the PTA had not gone far enough to force Government to change its mind.

And she was supported by Berkeley Institute board of governors chairman Mr.

Terry Lister, who accused Government of betraying the people of Bermuda.

PTA members are preparing a petition and considering a march on Parliament to demand that the axe falls elsewhere.

But Ms Smith said every parent in the Island should contact their local MP to demand they vote against the cuts when the Budget is debated after February.

She said the criminal justice report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, Judge Stephen Tumin, was evidence education should be expanded rather than cut.

Judge Tumim said that education was the key to Bermuda's problems, with many of Bermuda's prisoners being people who were either school drop-outs or those who did not have a "positive school experience''.

Ms Smith said: "I do not think that education should be cut at all. Things are going wrong with our children and Judge Tumin put the emphasis on education.

"If anything is needed it is more teachers and smaller classes so we can give children the kind of individual attention they obviously require.

"We should point out what an important role education plays in showing that children have self esteem.'' The proposed cuts will mean fewer text books, paper, pencils, toilet rolls and up to 25 teachers' jobs will be on the line, according to the PTA.

Ms Smith said: "It's a folly to proceed with the cuts while, at the same time, they have an education reform implementation team.

"The Government has said repeatedly that they have put aside funds for the reform. This would be a time that they could use the funds for reform to see that the current school programme is not cut and current students are not deprived.'' She pointed out that even if the cuts were necessary the Government could have been more balanced in asking for some savings in administration as well as actual teaching.

Mr. Lister, who is also the chairman of the PLP's campaign committee, said: "Somehow the Ministry has been allowed to backtrack consistently and, yet, not be held accountable.

"The fact that the improvements to the system that were to be put into place in summer of 1992 did not occur, seemingly did not create any ire in the Ministry.

"Not satisfied with that, the Minstry have now told us that they will be cutting 25 jobs, honorariums as well as summer study programmes.'' He blasted the Government for looking at matters on a short-term basis rather than long-term.

Mr. Lister said: "I am appalled to see the delay of this plan whilst we also realise that the prison is on time and under budget. What is the message that is being sent out to the Bermudian populace? "Are we to believe that Government is more interested in locking up our children than in educating them? Are we to believe that Government would prefer to see the jobs created in this community being filled by more foreign born workers whilst our native-born sons sit at the new Casemates Prison?'' Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons was not available for comment.