Parents are wondering what the next step is in the Ministry of Education's reform plan for schools.

The Royal Gazette reported two weeks ago that the Ministry is looking at plans to drastically change the public school system.

East End, Prospect, Gilbert Institute, Heron Bay and Dalton E. Tucker primary schools have all been named for possible closure under radical plans to restructure the system, although Education Minister El James has insisted no decision has been made.

Prospect Primary parents held a Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the Ministry's proposals.

Speakers included Education Permanent Secretary Kevin Monkman, Deputy Premier Paula Cox, Myron Piper of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance and Digicel head Wayne Caines.

Mr. James could not be reached for comment yesterday. Last week he said the Ministry's priorities for September 2010 remained focused on improving schools rather than shutting them down.

However parents remain concerned.

"Basically I think at the end of it all, the PTA presidents will meet with Mr. Monkman and El James to discuss other ideas and proposals," said one parent. "Some parents were saying 'obviously this is what you have in mind' but maybe it can be tweaked a bit."

She said that Ms Cox told Prospect parents Cabinet was just as much in the dark as they were regarding any proposals to shut their school down.

"Mr. Monkman spoke but he didn't seem very warm. It was like, these are the facts as to whatever with the budget or their plans. You could tell it was like business. People were saying emotion was getting involved but these are our children. You have to show emotion."

She continued: "We felt no sense of reassurance. No 'you're closing' or 'yes, you're staying open'. So you still have parents who are like 'what are we doing?'"

The parent said the group just wants to know what is being done, especially with registration for the next school year taking place next week.