The board set up to oversee the opening of the senior secondary school at Prospect cannot begin its search for a principal until Government announces its final senior school plans.

Chairman of the interim board Mr. Gary Madeiros yesterday said the group -- made up of several former teachers, a lawyer, a scientist and several business people -- were still waiting for "some final position from the (Education) Minister on the direction that we're going''.

One of the board's main tasks was to help find a principal for the school which was designed to accommodate some 1,200 students.

But after much public protest the new Education Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill has promised to review Government's plan to put that number of students at Prospect.

Government can either expand its renovation plans for the senior school at Berkeley Institute to accommodate more students, or create more than two senior secondary schools as recommended by the Education Planning Team.

Either way, Mr. Dill said, "there will be no deviation from the September 1, 1997 time frame''.

In the meantime, Mr. Madeiros said the board -- which meets every fortnight -- will also take a serious look at improving public relations about the planned school at Prospect.

"It appears that there is a lot of fear in the minds of people concerning the size of the school,'' he said. "And we feel very strongly that people should always be concerned about their children's education. But parents should not be fearful about this institution. There are not going to be large classes and all the things that people fear.'' However, Mr. Madeiros admitted that the board would have to address the public's concerns about the size of the student population and security at the school. "By listening to talk shows and people in general, it is obvious to me that there is so much that needs to be shared with the public,'' he said.

"This facility will be everything that they can want. Our job will be to communicate that to the public.'' Mr. Madeiros said the board was also seeking suggestions from high school students on a name for the Prospect school.

The contest, which is expected to begin next week, will involve high school students who potentially will be attending the school when it is completed in September, 1997.

Mr. Madeiros said: "The process will be one in which we encourage kids to get their parents and neighbours involved.'' Students will also have to submit a paragraph explaining why they believe the name they suggest should be considered.

"Our philosophy will be that we want students to be much more involved in that (senior secondary school) institution,'' Mr. Madeiros said. The contest deadline will be November 9 and the board hopes to have a name chosen by the end of November.

The board was also busy discussing the new Education Act, he said, and trying to provide information on it before it is debated during the next House of Assembly session, beginning on November 3.