that long-dreaded, controversial 11-Plus transfer exam will no longer exist.

Instead of writing the exam next March, primary seven students will have the choice of attending the nearest secondary school in their neighbourhood or writing an entrance exam for admission to Berkeley Institute or Warwick Academy, Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons revealed last Friday.

The alternative came mainly from an ad hoc committee made up of representatives from the Amalgamated Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Association of School Principals and education officers.

And while it is an interim measure until Government's major education reforms, including middle schools, are implemented, Mrs. Askia said: "I feel positive because at least it shows the department is trying to implement new ideas under restructuring''.

Mrs. Askia said this was the most reasonable, temporary solution for transferring students from primary to secondary level.

However, Mrs. Askia said her biggest concern is whether the department will be able to bring neighbourhood schools up to comparable standards by September, when the new school year begins.

"I find it hard to believe they're going to be able to do this in about two months,'' she said, "particularly in education where everyone is burnt out by summer.

"But in order to do away with the (11-Plus) exam that's what they're going to have to do.'' She said parents, who pressured the Education Minister to find an alternative to the 11-Plus exam, must now "keep a strong vigilance to ensure that neighbourhood schools are up to par and the reformed education system is implemented as soon as possible''.

Chairman of Warwick Academy's Board of Governors Dr. John Patton said Mr.

Simons' announcement will not affect the school's plans to have its own entrance exam when it becomes completely private in 1995.

And he said the board has no problem with a temporary entrance exam for Warwick and Berkeley "providing we're satisfied with its calibre''.

Neither Shadow Education Minister Miss Jennifer Smith nor chairman of Berkeley's Board of Governors Mr. Terry Lister could be reached for comment yesterday.

But last month, Mr. Lister said the board viewed the ad hoc committee's original proposal of Berkeley and Warwick setting their own entrance exams as a set back.

"It is the view of the Board that if an examination is to be used then the transfer examination as it now stands, designed by the Ministry, should continue and only those students wishing to sit the examination should do so,'' he said.

Mr. Lister said the Board was also concerned that students, unsuccessful in obtaining a placement in their chosen school, would be considered last for placement in their neighbourhood schools.