Premier Jennifer Smith yesterday slammed a suggestion that parents should stop their children from attending school in order to prevent them taking controversial tests.

And she backed up her remarks by saying she hoped that Bermuda's young people would not take statements by the leader of the teachers' union as approval for civil disobedience.

The Premier issued her statement in response to comments by Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Mike Charles in yesterday's Royal Gazette who said that parents unhappy about their six-year-olds sitting the tests should keep them at home.

Mr. Charles said that parents were the only ones who had the power to stop the exams which the union believes will brand children from a young age.

But last night the Premier said she was "surprised'' that those commonly viewed as role models would recommend parents break the law by keeping children at home and away from the controversial Terra Nova exams.

And she questioned why the teachers had not spoken out in the past when students were in trouble. "In fact, in the past when Bermuda's children were being severely detrimentally affected by education policies -- no such bold action was ever taken,'' said the Premier.

She added, that while she applauded that the union "are now advocates for what they consider is in the best interest of the child'', she invited them to act so consistently.

In particular, the Premier suggested teachers might become involved with the National Literacy Initiative, "to assist young people (and older persons) who, in spite of graduating from the public school system, do not know how to read''.

Yesterday Education Minister Senator Milton Scott joined the Premier in her condemnation of Mr. Charles' remarks, branding the union spokesman as "irresponsible''.

The Minister said he would not bow to requests from teachers that the tests be scrapped for Primary 2 students.

"We will not be deterred and will continue to support the parents, students, principals and teachers as we work together to improve our students' performance,'' he said.

Sen. Scott said Government was reducing class sizes for Primary 2 and 3 to an average of 15 and spending $3 million improving early school education.

"By introducing testing in Primary 2, we are collecting information that can be used to help individual students by identifying their academic strengths and weaknesses prior to entering the final year of the initial learning phase in Primary 3.

"This is not about labelling children. It is about understanding their progress so that we can provide a smooth transition to the next year without any children falling behind.'' However, one concerned parent who supported Mr. Charles' objections to Terra Nova, said there was a test called a locator which students can take before Terra Nova which details where a child stands in the learning spectrum on each subject.

She said she would seriously consider not sending her son, who has reading difficulties, for the Terra Nova test, unless he is given a locator test first.

The woman, whose son is at a primary school in Pembroke, said she had been told about the locator test by a teacher and found out details on the Internet.

"I found this information about the locator test on the Internet so why the Education Department is holding this back from us is beyond me,'' she said yesterday.

"My son is on grade for everything, except reading. We know what my son is capable of and we don't need a test to do that. Mike Charles is absolutely right in what he is saying about this.'' In her statement, however, the Premier shied away from the debate over the nature of the test but spoke out in favour of law and order.

"While the Government welcomes the frank and forthright feedback of respected educators, it is curious that an official spokesman for the teachers would advocate breaking the law because they do not agree with the policy of the Ministry of Education,'' she said.

"It is especially surprising since such educators, are viewed as role models in the community generally and as examples for our young children.

Accordingly, it is disappointing that they would recommend non-adherence to the laws of the country, especially at a time when Government is working to underscore the importance of law and good order.''