Senator Marc Bean has said he will stand by his statements on the failing education system, even if it costs him his career in politics.

Though he apologised to the Progressive Labour Party for publicly criticising the party's handling of public schools, last night he told The Royal Gazette every word was truthful and heartfelt. Senator Bean said: "I can confirm that every word that I spoke in the Senate last Wednesday was genuine, and from my heart, and this whole issue has troubled me deeply."

"My error, was that I offered constructive criticism about my Government in the public arena prior to doing the same within caucus. Having abhorred such behaviour among some of my colleagues in the past, this action on my part is, admittedly, simply unacceptable.

"However, and let me make it clear, my apology is for where I gave these remarks, but not for the assessment itself," the Junior Minister of Transport said.

Last week the Senator made an impassioned speech about the failing education system and called for drastic change to provide the Island's young people with a quality education. Since then he has been heavily criticised by colleagues and party members for speaking out in public — and issued a formal apology to the PLP as shown in yesterday's paper.

In the apology, Mr. Bean said he meant no disrespect to the hard working men and women of his Government who have worked to overcome the failed education system inherited by the United Bermuda Party.

But added there was still work to be done that needed his party's full effort and focus to take Bermuda forward.

Last night Senator Bean added: "I am acutely aware that we inherited a failed system, but that does not negate the fact that my Government (of which I am part of, and thus equally liable), after 12 years, has not succeeded in doing what we were expected, and elected, to do — which is to fix the system we inherited. This issue is not about electoral politics, but speaks to the good governance that I know my government (as in other areas) is capable of delivering, and to which the people expect.

He said: "It was my hope that some persons in my party and Government, instead of denying what is the obvious, would in humility, acknowledge the truth and reality, and act accordingly.

The Senator continued: "Bermuda is in a crises, and as a Senator, my obligation is to speak the truth, even if it comes at the cost of offending some.

"If we are to be granted the titles of Honourable, then it is incumbent for us politicians on all sides, to be honest with ourselves and our people. Never has the need for frankness, honesty, and the truth, been greater then now, as our collective future demands it.

He added: "While I have been appointed to serve Bermuda, I am not paid to appease people within or without my Government, and for that, I will not make an apology, even if it comes at the cost of my future in politics.

"At least my conscience will be clear before God and man — and my party, government and country will be the better for it," he said.

His comments came hours after opposition leader Kim Swan told this paper Senator Bean was right to criticise the shortcomings of the public education system.

According to Mr. Swan, the Senator was speaking "truthfully" and his statements reflected the opinions of many other Bermudians.

Mr. Swan said he and other members of the UBP agreed with the Senator's comments and praised him for having the courage to speak up.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Senator Marc Bean was speaking truthfully last Wednesday in the Senate when he said the PLP government had so completely failed to improve the education system that "I give my Government a triple F," said Mr. Swan.

"For my colleagues in the Senate Chamber, these words were clearly and genuinely expressed by the Senator as a true judgment on the Government's performance.

"Persistent high dropout rates, the failure to reform the system years after it was judged to be on the brink of a meltdown are facts and concerns that fed Senator Bean's statement as well as reflected the judgment of many, many Bermudians," added Mr. Swan.

Mr. Swan admitted he was also critical of "Government's dithering effort to reform the system" and said: "Sometimes it takes an insider who has nothing to gain, but a clear conscience, and much to lose by speaking out. So we applaud Senator Bean for his honest assessment of the PLP government's incredibly disappointing performance in education."

According to Mr. Swan, the Senator may have felt obliged to issue a public apology.

"Having spoken so freely on the matter last week, his abject apology (yesterday) morning must have been difficult to swallow.

"But my colleagues in the Senate got a sense of the strong arms that forced his apology last Wednesday when the Premier entered the Senate Chamber to glower at Senator Bean during his speech," said Mr. Swan.