Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons has questioned proposals to change the way Bermuda's aided schools are run.

Dr. Gibbons told Friday's House of Assembly he had attended last week's public meeting at which the future of St. George's Preparatory School was a hot topic of debate.

Currently, aided schools are run by boards appointed by their trustees, however, Government is considering replacing them with cluster boards which would be responsible for a number of schools.

Dr. Gibbons told the Motion to Adjourn: "The parents and those associated with the school felt they were being asked to move to a cluster model, which is untested and may not work as well as aided schools.

"From their perspective, you are taking away the control it has, and suggesting it be put into the hands of a board that oversees four or five different schools in addition to St. George's Prep."

Education Minister Randolph Horton responded that his Ministry would listen to the public and wanted to ensure best practices are shared across the Island.

"As a result of the meetings concerns were expressed and we are a considerate Government. When people speak we listen. We will work with each of the aided schools," said the Minister.

House Speaker Stanley Lowe said the matter could be discussed by the soon-to-be-appointed joint select committee which will oversee the implementation of recommendations from last year's damning Hopkins Report.