Almost 250 children are being educated outside the mainstream schools on the Island.

The Ministry of Education revealed that 240 students attend either home schools, where they are taught by their parents, or tutorial sites where parents pay others to teach their children.

The number was made public in response to parliamentary questions recently asked by Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons.

The largest centre on the Island is the Learning Express Academy where 49 students are taught in Devonshire. Others accommodate between two to 19 students.

Dr. Gibbons said he was looking into the alternative education facilities because his constituents and members of the community have been asking questions regarding the laws which govern them and the education provided at them.

"I wanted a better understanding of how many students are using these schools," he said yesterday. "There has been a steady decline in enrolment figures in public education in recent years and I wanted to know how many were going to these schools instead."

He added that the Education Act made it clear that parents, not the Ministry of Education, must conduct periodic assessments of the child and report any findings to the Ministry.

"I am not unduly concerned," he said when asked if the curricula was something he was looking into. "I am aware of their performance and am aware that a lot of students who are coming out of them are doing well."

The Education Amendment Act 2003 was the last piece of legislation to deal with the alternative facilities. It ensured they abide by planning and fire laws, have liability insurance, and be passed by the Education Minister before operating.

At the time Government initially intended to govern the academic standards of the schools, but chose not to in the end.

Then Minister of Education, Paula Cox, told the House of Assembly that provided the schools were safe for pupils, it would be up to parents to choose how and where their children were educated.