Former Premier Sir John Swan has called on Government to consider "rescuing'' children from problem families and putting them in boarding schools.

Writing in The Royal Gazette today, Sir John states that boarding schools should be established for problem youngsters aged eight to 14 if their parents cannot care for them properly.

He says some parents would object but they might be relieved because they realise they are not doing a good job looking after them.

It is one of several ideas put forward by Sir John to tackle the problem of Bermuda's failing public school system.

He also suggests: Reducing the age limit for pre-schools from four to three.

Sacking incompetent teachers.

Recruiting overseas teachers if competent Bermudians cannot be found.

Introducing skills-based pay for teachers.

Forcing public schools to publish annual reports.

Keeping schools open all year.

Getting adults to mentor youngsters out of school.

Linking all classes to the Internet and ensuring every child has a computer at home.

Sir John claims "revolutionising'' the Island's public school system to meet the demands of a rapidily changing world is the single biggest challenge facing the Country.

He said: "Our public education system has not caught up with the pace of change.'' The Country has to accept the need for change rather than be in denial and blaming outsiders or forces beyond the Country's control, according to the former premier.

Sir John added: "The process of change does not work if you look at the situation through a rear-view mirror.

"To move the education system forward and deal with real issues, don't rationalise the past or try to fix it. Look ahead. See where the world is going. Plan for the future.'' He admits there are problems with boarding schools.

"No matter how much a parent loves a child, I think some parents realise that they are not doing what they need to be doing for their children because, they are single parents and working various jobs, or both parents are hooked on drugs, or they are involved in unstable or unhealthy relationships,'' he said.

"I think that many parents in those circumstances might be relieved if the state took them so that they could be involved in character building and an academic educational programme.'' While there are many good teachers "there are poor teachers who must be weeded out of the system forthwith.

"The bottom line is we need competent teachers and if we can't find them locally we should search the world, like the private sector, to recruit competent teachers.'' Public schools could be transformed to be as good as private schools and Bermudians should never tell themselves the situation is hopeless because public schools cater almost exclusively for black children.

Too many children, especially young black men, were "falling through the cracks.

"And too many black people continue to embrace a culture of victimisation and entitlement based on past injustice instead of pushing for equality of opportunity, standards and accountability. These are the scars we carry. These are the scars that continue to hold us back.'' Sir John's vision of education -- Page 4.