New Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith has delivered her first speech to teachers, admitting to them that "all is not well" in public schools but insisting change is on the way.

She said she planned to introduce public/private partnerships to improve schools and told educators to expect announcements about several projects in the coming weeks.

The former Premier spoke at the Berkeley Institute yesterday at the 27th annual conference of the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

"Let me begin by stating the obvious — all is not well," she said. "Our education system is at a critical juncture and we are called on to ensure that every student is on the path to success.

"The challenges we face in public education will be solved when we support public education. In the 400 years of our existence, I know of no entity that has ever come by sea or by air to solve our problems. Our problems are ours to solve. And I know that — collectively — we can find the solutions."

Dame Jennifer said the majority of students tried their best and were "talented, marvellous young people" whose accomplishments should be heralded and who needed support.

"We must, as the old song says, accentuate the positive," she said. "We must learn to dialogue with each other when we have disagreements.

"Solutions can always be found through dialogue with the correct entity."

Last week, Dame Jennifer spoke of a scheme to encourage construction firms to adopt primary schools and carry out repair work.

Yesterday, she said she planned to call on the whole community to give public education the support it needed and encourage parents to play an "even more active and meaningful role in their children's education day".

Such involvement, the Minister said, has been proven to produce higher grades and graduation rates, fewer suspensions, less use of drugs and alcohol and greater enrolment in post-secondary education.

"This is what we all want for our young people, and for our Country," she added. "From the top of the Ministry, right down through to the classroom and the parents in the home, we all have a role to play in education."

She assured teachers that as she set about reforming the system: "There will be no surprises."

Dame Jennifer said: "I intend to communicate and to listen; but I also intend to make decisions and — when I do — I will set out clearly the rationale for those decisions.

"I believe that we are united in our desire to give our students the best opportunity for success. And I am committed to regular meetings with your union so that we have a regular forum in which to discuss issues."

The conference's keynote speaker was Dr. Robyn Jackson, from Washington, DC educational consulting firm Mindsteps Inc.